3 bears euthanized outside Wyoming’s main grizzly habitat

Wyoming wildlife officials say a grizzly bear and her two cubs were trapped and euthanized in a part of the state far outside the core habitat for the animals.

The bears were put down Thursday near Byron in Big Horn County after initially being spotted feeding on a dead cow on a resident’s trail camera.

Dan Smith, regional supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, says it’s the furthest east that grizzly bears have been caught in recent history. In a statement, he says bear sightings are occurring farther afield as the grizzly population expands.

He said they were killed because of their history and proximity to humans.

The bears were relocated twice from Park County. Most recently, they were moved to Teton County after preying on cattle last month.