(Fremont County, WY) – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult female grizzly bear and her two female cubs on September 27, 2025, according to a recent WGaFD release.
“The grizzly bears were captured because of their close proximity to residential areas and the town of Dubois,” the release states. “They were not involved in any conflicts, but moved preemptively.”
“In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the grizzly bears were relocated to the Grassy Lake drainage, approximately one-half mile from the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation, and Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.”
“We have seen increased bear activity at lower elevations this year from Dubois to Lander, mainly with bears focusing on natural foods,” WGaFD Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt shared in a separate release. “We are asking people to be careful about storing anything that might attract bears to unnatural food sources.”
The WGaFD has shared the following recommendations to minimize human-bear conflicts:
- Secure attractants: Store all food, garbage, livestock feed, pet food and other potential bear attractants in bear-proof containers or inside a secure building.
- Protect your pets, livestock, and gardens: Confine domestic animals in a hard-sided building at night with a securely latched door. Do not feed cats or dogs outdoors. Consider constructing an electric fence around vegetable gardens, compost piles, beehives, fruit trees, domestic flocks, and other attractants you want to protect from bears. Residents in need of electric fencing materials or assistance setting up an electric fence can contact the Game and Fish Jackson Regional office.
“Bear conflicts should be reported to Game and Fish as soon as possible by calling your local Game and Fish Regional office or dispatch at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (943-3857). Further information on bear safety and tips to reduce conflict can be found on the Game and Fish Bear Wise Wyoming web page.”
WHY RELOCATION?
Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. In some cases, a bear may be removed from the population if it cannot be relocated successfully.
Capture is necessary when other deterrents or preventative options are exhausted or unattainable. Once the animal is captured, all circumstances are taken into account when determining if the individual should be relocated. If relocation is warranted, a site is determined by considering the age, sex, and type of conflict the bear was involved in as well as potential human activity nearby.
Grizzly bears are only relocated into the recovery zone or adjacent areas. With any relocation, Game and Fish consults with appropriate agencies to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear’s survival.