A young black bear was captured and relocated after wandering into a residential neighborhood in Pocatello, Idaho, once again demonstrating how drought and limited food supplies can sometimes push wildlife closer to developed areas.
Idaho Fish and Game received the report on the morning of August 31st after the bear was spotted in the backyard of a home in the south valley area of Pocatello.
Regional wildlife biologists David Dressel and Jon Dixon responded and found the young black bear climbing a fence and foraging for berries. Officials safely captured the animal and released it in a more suitable remote habitat.
Drought May Be Driving Bears Farther For Food
Officials are not certain how the bear reached the neighborhood, though it may have traveled along the Portneuf River corridor while searching for food.
Severe drought conditions could also be a factor. Natural foods such as berries, nuts, roots, and vegetation make up roughly 90 percent of an Idaho black bear’s diet, according to Fish and Game. When drought limits those food sources, bears may need to travel farther to find enough to eat.
Young bears generally remain with their mothers for at least a year before venturing out independently. However, mother bears may sometimes force young bears out earlier when food is scarce to reduce competition.
Why Wildlife Officials Relocated The Bear
The young bear was not classified as a problem animal. Officials said it had not been reported eating trash, entering homes or other structures, damaging pets or livestock, or threatening people. Its proximity to homes and busy roads still created potential safety risks.
Wildlife officials determined that relocating the bear was the safest option for both the animal and the public.
Black Bears Rarely Enter Pocatello
While encounters between people and black bears can occur across much of North America, a bear sighting within Pocatello city limits is unusual. Idaho Fish and Game said the last known incident occurred in 2018 when a wild black bear wandered into Zoo Idaho.
The latest encounter illustrates how changing environmental conditions and limited natural food sources can occasionally bring wildlife into unexpected places, even inside populated cities.