Soapbox Idaho Falls: The Bear Issue Part II

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Story Published: Nov 6, 2007 at 11:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM MST

By Abbey Gibb

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Although there's no record of exactly how many bear sightings we've had over this last year in Eastern Idaho, wildlife officials say it's the most they've seen in several decades. And it's a trend they believe, that's here to stay.

Gregg Losinski, Idaho Fish and Game: "Like most problems there's a lot of different issues. This year has been exceptional for bear problems all around the west for black and grizzly bears."

Just this summer a 11-year-old Utah boy was dragged from his tent by a black bear. The boy's body was found about 400 yards from the campsite.

Jim Karpowitz, Wildlife Resources Division: "When it's hot and dry like this, bears are short on food and they go looking for food and sometimes they create problems and this is certainly a big problem today and we're really sadden by it."

And Losinksi believes the problem is here to stay. Just this year the grizzlies were de-listed and are now free to multiply.

Losinksi: "Some of the places they went to find food were places where their ancestors have been and we happen to be there now."

Like those living in Fremont County.

Emery-Miller: "I'm concerned about them interfering with humans and people leaving their trash out."

And it's the trash, Fish and Game says, that will continue to be our biggest problem.

Losinski: "It may not seem like anything to us. They may think of it as garbage or bird seed. But to bears it's something to eat."

And as long as it's there, so are the bears. Coming up tomorrow on "Soapbox Idaho Falls," ever hate those annoying pot holes and broken down sidewalks? Well after talking to us one neighborhood is getting a facelift.

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