The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has released new information about a young male grizzly bear that was found dead in Island Park, Idaho at the start of June and the independent Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) Board has also announced an increase in the reward being offered.
Forensic evidence now indicates that the grizzly was killed more recently than first suspected and in fact was killed elsewhere and was dumped where it was found. The bear had only been dead for a few days when it was reported on June 4.
Along with this new information regarding the time and death of the animal, someone removed some of the front claws from the bear. It is illegal to possess any portion of a threatened species. Fish and Game is still working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to learn more about the individual or persons responsible for the illegal killing of this animal that was dumped on Idaho State Land near East Dry Creek, off the Yale-Kilgore Road.
Because of the seriousness of the violation, the USFWS originally agreed to contribute $5,000 to the potential reward available. The CAP Board voted last week to increase their reward from $600 to $1,200. Two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) sent out news releases announcing that they were each adding $5,000 to the reward, but since they had not coordinated with the CAP Board these amounts are separate from what CAP is offering. Another NGO, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, did make efforts to discuss the reward situation, so their offer of $5,000 could be utilized by the CAP Board if a reward is paid out. This puts the coordinated reward at $11,200 and the independent rewards at $10,000.
Officers are reaching out to the public for anyone who may have knowledge about what happened with the bear before, during, or after the initial incident. If someone wants to provide information they can do so anonymously by calling the CAP Hotline. The CAP Hotline can be reached at 1-800-632-5999 and is staffed 24/7.