A wildlife drama, involving a problem bear, played itself out over the Fourth of July weekend near the eastern Idaho/western Wyoming border. Campers had to leave while officials tracked down the troublemaker.
The Forest Service decided to close the Teton Canyon area east of Driggs after a problem bear tried to enter tents, charged at people and displayed what officials called “bold, unnatural behavior.”
The bear had became food conditioned after campers left food in their tent and coolers out. That’s despite an order from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest that says all food must be properly stored away from the animals.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department put out traps and caught two bears on Monday. A young male bear, who had not shown aggressive behavior, was relocated to the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The problem bear, a young female, was also trapped and had to be euthanized. Officials say the animal was too aggressive and could not be reconditioned or relocated.
The Teton Canyon area will reopen today (Thursday) at noon.
