(Lander, WY) – A yearling male black bear that had been sighted on the north side of Lander was euthanized Thursday, Rene Schell, the Information and Education Supervisor for the Lander Wyoming Game and Fish Department, confirmed with County 10 Friday afternoon.
Schell shared that on Thursday afternoon, August 20, G&F, in cooperation with the Lander Police Department, responded to multiple reports of a black bear on the north side of Lander, at which point G&F personnel were able to successfully dart and immobilize the bear.
However, upon closer inspection, it was determined that the bear was in “extremely poor condition and matched reports of the same individual that had been frequenting multiple residences, businesses, and residential areas for the last 10 days as well as obtaining food rewards,” Schell said.
“Unfortunately, due to all these factors, the difficult decision was made to euthanize the bear.”
“We do not promote bears in residential neighborhoods or urban spaces, but this season we are seeing bears in unique areas in search of food sources,” Schell added. “As bears expand their search for calories, we are asking community members who care about wildlife to take proactive steps: secure your garbage in bear-resistant containers, bring pet food inside, pull in bird feeders, and clean grill surfaces.”
The report/incident comes just over two weeks after Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game reported bear activity in the Fort Washakie and Ethete areas.
“Any sightings of a bear in residential or developed areas should be reported as soon as possible to local Game and Fish personnel, the Game and Fish Regional Office at 307-332-2688 during regular business hours, to the Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP or to a local law enforcement agency,” G&F advises. “Quick reporting by the public allows wildlife managers more management options.”
Bear sightings in the Wind River Reservation area should be reported to the Tribal Fish and Game Office at 307-332-7207 if they pose a safety concern.
G&F will also be hosting a bear spray giveaway on Aug. 30, 2 p.m., at the Game and Fish Lander Regional Office (260 Buena Vista Drive).