Reward offered in grizzly bear shooting

An adult female grizzly bear was shot and killed near the Pole Bridge Campground in Island Park between March 15^th and March 23^rd and Idaho Fish and Game is asking for information from the public to help solve the case.

Cumulative rewards from various organizations totaling $40,000 are being offered for information leading to a citation and conviction in this case. Regional Conservation Officer Doug Petersen says in Idaho. “The loss of a reproductive female grizzly is a real tragedy.”

After receiving a mortality signal from the bear’s collar, Fish and Game staff discovered the bear’s carcass lying partially submerged in the Little Warm River. Further investigation revealed that the bear had died from multiple gunshot wounds. A subsequent investigation of the female grizzly’s den site revealed a 6 to 8-week-old cub that also perished because of her death.

This is the third grizzly bear shooting to have occurred in the same general area over the past eight months. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the Upper Snake Regional Office 208-525-7290, the Citizen’s Against Poaching hotline1-800-632-5999 or file a report online at idfg.idaho.gov/poacher. Callers may remain anonymous.