Black bear enters Buckskin area home

UPDATE: 8-19-16

Idaho Department of Fish and Game personnel have not yet captured a black bear that entered the basement of a Buckskin area home east of Pocatello this week.

A culvert trap was checked last night and again Friday morning. Trapping efforts are continuing.

The bear has not been aggressive towards people, but it has caused some property damage.

In the meantime, Fish and Game spokesperson Jennifer Jackson is encouraging homeowners to brush up on living with wildlife. Keep extra pet food stored or secured indoors. Consider bringing in bird feeders or hummingbird feeders. And make sure to clean barbecue grills after their use to prevent food smells from attracting bears.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Idaho Fish and Game Department is attempting to trap a black bear in the Buckskin area east of Pocatello.

A man who lives in the area reported a “wild animal” had entered his basement through a window screen Wednesday. According to Fish and Game officers, tracks consistent with a bear were found inside a closed room in the basement. The man said the bear was back again Thursday morning. It had scratched a hot tub cover.

Conservation officers said another homeowner had observed a black bear on her property a week earlier. She said the bear ran away. But, she said she also saw some damage to a basement window.

Idaho Fish and Game is confident the animal is a juvenile black bear. Officers said that because the bear was unafraid of humans, even entering a home, it was doing all it could to trap the animal.

The culvert trap has been set on private property in proximitiy to the reported incidents.