The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is reporting a female grizzly with cubs was observed digging gopher caches near Harriman State Parkin Island Park last week. This is the third year in a row bears have been observed in this location and is likely the same mother grizzly returning to a known food source. bear biologist Jeremy Nicholson says the sow put her legendary grizzly strength to use and made quick work of the soft soil, digging up multiple caches as her cubs watched and joined in. When bears emerge from their dens after months of hibernation, they are hungry and looking for food. Though food can be in short supply this time of year, bears are opportunistic feeders and will make a meal out of almost anything. One of the first food items grizzly bears seek when they wake are pocket gophers, but they are primarily looking for roots and tubers that are buried by the gophers.Nicholson says this is a great reminder that we need to properly store garbage and other attractants when we live in bear country.
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