Black Bear Captured, Euthanized Sunday
Written by Andrew-Rossi on June 5, 2018
– Photo of captured bear by Cody resident Kathy Wormald
East Cody residents got a bit of a surprise Sunday morning when a black bear invaded their yards – and their chicken coops.
The nine-year-old male was reported to Game and Fish by a resident near the softball fields, who found the bear after it killed three chickens. Game and Fish mobilized, and followed the bear’s path through the east part of town, finally catching up with the animal near the First Presbyterian Church. Tara Hodges with the Cody Game and Fish office says they captured the bear, which she says was in poor health – and that factor, along with other concerns, caused wildlife officials to make the decision to euthanize the bear.
Hodges says that it’s hard to say why the bear was in town, although she said his poor body condition may have been a factor. She also noted that the Shoshone River is a natural travel corridor for wildlife, which may have been the route that took him to town in search of food.
