Young black bear makes unexpected visit to Pocatello neighborhood

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A young black bear made a surprise visit to a Pocatello neighborhood on Monday morning.

Idaho Fish and Game found the bear climbing a fence and foraging for berries in a south valley neighborhood.

Crews captured the animal and released it in a remote habitat.

“We can’t be sure how or why this black bear found its way to this Pocatello neighborhood, though it is possible it had worked its way along the Portneuf River corridor as it foraged for food,” said Dressel.

The wildlife managers say drought conditions have reduced the availability of natural food sources, which may be driving bears closer to communities in search of food.

Fish and Game says bear sightings in Pocatello city limits are rare, with the last reported sighting in 2018.