GRIZZLY: Punish the shooter

A grizzly bear that had already been radio-collared and relocated to Montana, in an effort to increase the grizzly population in the Cabinet Mountains, found its way to the Silver Valley most likely in search of food after an unusually dry and smoky summer. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game was attempting to trap and relocate the federally protected 2-year-old bear back to Montana. In steps a hunter and kills the bear. Was the hunter misguided and didn’t recognize this bear as a grizzly? Or is the hunter ignorant of the law?

Killing an endangered species can result in the perpetrator receiving a fine and/or prison time. However, the law allows a grizzly to be killed if it threatens human life. Was this bear threatening human life in the King’s Pass area?

Some studies indicate there are fewer than 100 grizzly bears in North Idaho, eastern Washington, western Montana and southern Canada. Now there is one less. This hunter deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent for violating the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

ROBERTA BRAINARD GARNER

Eugene, Ore.