Wyofile-Angus M. Thuermer Jr.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department trapped 45 grizzly bears in 2015, according to an annual report required by the Wyoming Legislature. The 45 trappings were the result of 51 “capture events,” during which bears were captured, relocated, released, or removed to prevent or resolve conflicts, the report says. Seventeen of the 51 events resulted in the killing or removal of the bear to a zoo.
Forty-seven percent of the events — 24 actual capture events — were in Park County, 31 percent in Sublette County and 14 percent in Fremont County, Game and Fish reported. Hot Springs and Teton counties each had two capture events.
Forty-three percent of the capture events — 22 in all — were the result of bears killing livestock. Most of the killing was of cattle, although sheep, pigs, ducks and chickens were in the mix.
At least six bears were captured for getting into garbage, including three at the Cody landfill. Of the 34 bears that were released, half were let go in Park County and about half in Teton County. One was set free in Fremont County. All the released bears that were older than two years were fitted with radio tracking collars and attempts made at least once every two weeks to find them. Game and Fish said it notified county sheriffs and the media after bears were released as required.
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