Food-conditioned black bear lethally removed from Island Park

Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials lethally removed a black bear on Bill’s Island in Island Park Thursday.

The bear had been spotted by residents for at least a couple of weeks, and officials say the bear could not be relocated because it had become severely habituated and food-conditioned as it repeatedly found improperly stored garbage and other attractants on the Island.

Officials say it was very comfortable near people and was spotted sleeping under porches, walking on decks and was active day and night.

IDFG reports habituated, food-conditioned bears pose much more of a threat to human safety than bears exhibiting typical bear behavior.