Griz kills again

NAPLES — A grizzly bear that reportedly killed livestock on Tuesday returned to the same property near Naples, avoided traps and killed again Thursday night.

Wildlife officials are continuing to try and trap the bear. There was no mention of trying to kill it in an Idaho Department of Fish and Game press release on Friday.

Officials said they confirmed via tracks that a grizzly bear killed a llama and a sheep Tuesday night southwest of Naples.

Idaho Fish and Game and Wildlife Services staff placed traps on the property and set out cameras, anticipating the bear might return.

There was no bear activity on the property Wednesday or Thursday, but landowners reported the bear returned early Friday and killed two sheep and a goat.

Camera footage "confirmed the culprit as a grizzly bear."

Fish and Game officers, in coordination with a trapper from Wildlife Services, placed more traps on the property.

If the grizzly bear is trapped, staff will determine whether it has been encountered during previous management or research efforts, or if it is a previously undocumented animal by checking for ear tags and other identifying markers.

If the grizzly bear is captured, Fish and Game will work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff to collect data including DNA, measurements, sex and age.

If the bear is relocated, a GPS collar will be placed on it to track its movements and behaviors, the release said.

Fish and Game staff are working with the landowners to take additional steps to protect the remaining livestock, including removal of animal carcasses and corralling of livestock inside an electrified fence.

Fish and Game said it has two employees who are "largely dedicated to grizzly bear-related education, management and incidents in the Panhandle Region."

The first is a grizzly bear enforcement and education senior conservation officer, and the second is a grizzly bear management technician.

"The positions exist to provide education and technical support for all things related to grizzly bears, including bear-human conflicts, and they are based out of Boundary County," the release said. "As part of their program, supplies and support can be provided to landowners to help address grizzly bear-human conflicts."