ISLAND PARK, ID – A grizzly bear that had become habituated to human food in a residential neighborhood was euthanized by Idaho Fish and Game on Thursday, after it posed a significant safety risk to the community. The bear, an adult male, had been frequenting the Pinehaven area for several days, consistently seeking out food rewards from unsecured garbage cans and even breaking into vehicles used for garbage storage.

The bear’s behavior was first reported last week when it was spotted multiple times on doorbell cameras and its tracks were found throughout the neighborhood. Local residents witnessed the bear pushing against buildings in search of food. Despite efforts to deter the animal, it continued to seek out human food sources, making it increasingly bold in its interactions with the neighborhood.

Idaho Fish and Game, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the decision to euthanize the bear after its persistent food-seeking behavior raised concerns for human safety. Grizzly bears, which are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, are typically wary of humans, but food-conditioning can cause them to lose this natural fear, leading to dangerous encounters.

The presence of unsecured food sources, such as birdseed, dog food, and fruit trees, is a well-documented cause of human-bear conflicts. Bears are highly adaptable and can quickly learn to associate people with food, making them more likely to enter residential areas in search of easy meals.