Yearling grizzly cub in trap. Photo by Gregg Losinski/IDFG
IDAHO FALLS – On October 9, 2015, the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) released two male yearling grizzly bear cubs in a remote portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Yellowstone National Park. The yearlings and their mother had been trapped on October 8, near Chester, Idaho. Because of the sow’s prior conflicts and poor body condition IDFG euthanized her after consultation with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The cubs were outfitted with radio collars so that their movements could be monitored.
Before releasing the cubs their body condition was reviewed by by IDFG biologists and a member of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) who determined the yearlings were in better physical condition than their mother and still had a chance at surviving the winter. Closer examination also revealed that both yearlings were male, previous quick examination during prior handling had led to the assumption that there was a cub of each sex.
