Black bear dies during capture and release effort near Victor
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
VICTOR — A young black bear died in Teton County Thursday during a capture and release effort by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
On Feb. 23, Fish and Game responded to reports of a black bear that was spotted at Sherman Park in Victor. Numerous calls came in from local law enforcement and concerned members of the public given the bears location and proximity to people.
Upon arrival biologists were able to dart the one-year-old female black bear with a tranquilizer as it began to climb a tree. The capture went smoothly but further examination of the bear revealed that it was in extremely poor body condition and emaciated.
“We are saddened to report that the young bear did not make it out of the anesthesia,” Fish and Game spokesman James Brower says. “We were already discussing suitable rehabilitation facilities for this bear, but despite doing all we could, it was in really rough shape and unfortunately was unable to recover.”
There is always a risk associated with any animal that has to be tranquilized. That risk is greater when the animal is sickly or in poor body condition.
Black bears typically do not leave their dens until April when the weather warms up enough for them to forage for food. “It is unusual to see one being active this time of year,” says Brower. “This bear was obviously struggling.”