Idaho Fish and Game officials captured and relocated a young black bear Monday morning after discovering it foraging in a residential backyard in Pocatello. The animal was not deemed a threat to public safety and was moved to a remote area with more suitable habitat rather than being destroyed.
The bear was found climbing a fence and feeding on berries in the Bannock County neighborhood. Because the location placed the animal near homes and busy roadways, relocation was chosen as the safest option for both the bear and residents in the area.
Food Scarcity Driving Bears to New Territory
Severe drought conditions have significantly reduced natural food sources for black bears across Idaho, forcing younger animals to venture into unfamiliar terrain in search of sustenance. Young bears typically remain with their mothers for at least a year, but food shortages can cause mother bears to push offspring out earlier than normal, leaving them to fend for themselves in new areas.
David Dressel, an official with Idaho Fish and Game, explained that the exact route the bear took remains uncertain. “We can’t be sure how or why this black bear found its way to this Pocatello neighborhood, though it is possible it had worked its way along the Portneuf River corridor as it foraged for food,” Dressel told the KIVI 6 On Your Side.
Bear Classification and Relocation Process
The captured bear was not classified as a “problem bear”—a designation reserved for animals that consume trash, enter structures, damage pets or livestock, or threaten humans. Because this young bear exhibited none of those behaviors, relocation rather than removal was determined to be the appropriate response.
Bear sightings within Pocatello city limits remain uncommon. The last documented bear encounter in the city occurred in 2018 at Zoo Idaho, making Monday’s backyard discovery a relatively rare event for residents in the area.
What Comes Next
Idaho Fish and Game will continue monitoring conditions in Bannock County and the broader region as drought persists. Residents are advised to secure garbage, pet food, and other attractants that might draw bears or other wildlife closer to homes. The relocated bear will be tracked to ensure its successful adjustment to its new habitat in a more remote location away from human development.