DUBOIS, Idaho (KIFI) - Fish and Game captured and euthanized a young male black bear at Stoddard Creek Campground Thursday after it had received multiple food rewards from garbage left out by careless campers.

The food-conditioned bear showed no fear of humans and repeatedly ripped open coolers and pushed on tents in search of food, posing a human safety risk.

“Public safety is our number one priority,” Regional Supervisor Matt Pieron said. “This situation could have easily been avoided if campers would have taken the time to secure their garbage and keep it away from bears.”

Bears are located all across Idaho and campers need to be ‘Bear Aware’ and do their part to minimize the chances of a bear visiting their campsite and finding food. Food-conditioned bears can rapidly lose their fear of humans, resulting in bears approaching people and ultimately putting the lives of both humans and bears at risk.

Keep humans and bears safe by keeping a clean camp when enjoying the Idaho backcountry. It is up to us to keep Idaho’s wildlife wild.

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