Idaho
Idaho Fish and Game sedates, relocates yearling black bear from Nampa neighborhood
A young black bear that wandered into a Nampa neighborhood ended up getting a second chance in the wild after Idaho Fish and Game crews safely captured and relocated it.
On Sunday, June 14, Idaho Fish and Game enforcement officers and biologists responded to a report of a black bear in a tree in a residential area in Nampa. Working with the Nampa Police and Fire Departments, Fish and Game staff sedated the yearling male black bear, loaded it into a trap, and transported it to a suitable release location in Unit 32A, north of Ola.
Fish and Game said the bear was a yearling “probably recently kicked off by a sow” and was trying to survive on its own. The bear had not caused any issues or conflicts that staff were aware of, was not food-conditioned, and “very clearly had an appropriate fear of humans,” which factored into the decision to relocate it.
“It’s not an everyday, or even yearly, occurrence for a bear to end up roaming a Treasure Valley neighborhood, and it’s even rarer for us to relocate one,” said Regional Wildlife Manager Ryan Walrath. “Often, euthanizing a bear in town is our only option.”
Fish and Game said that by the time staff hear about bears in town, they have often been causing problems for a while, have been receiving food rewards from human sources, and have lost an appropriate fear of people. In those circumstances, relocating a bear could lead to continued conflicts and create a potential public safety risk. The agency also noted that chemically immobilizing and attempting to relocate large animals poses risks to the public, the animal and Fish and Game staff.
“Our priority is public safety and the safety of our staff, followed by the safety of the animal,” said Regional Supervisor Josh Royse. “We don’t always have the resources to mitigate those risks to an acceptable level, but in this case, we did. It is rare that we can do anything other than euthanize a bear that is in a place that we don’t want it. This was one of those very rare exceptions, and we took advantage of it.”
Fish and Game also warned it could be a busy year for bears turning up in Treasure Valley communities. Wildlife biologists in Southwest Idaho are seeing more reports of bears in town than usual, and earlier than usual, this year, likely influenced by current drought conditions.
“We wouldn’t be shocked to see even more bears in places they wouldn’t normally be as we get into late summer and early fall, as we expect that natural food sources will be harder to come by,” Walrath said.
Fish and Game urged residents to reduce attractants that can draw bears into neighborhoods. Recommendations include removing bird feeders between April and mid-November, feeding pets inside, putting trash cans out the morning of pickup day instead of the night before, and not keeping coolers, refrigerators or freezers outside. If a bear has already found food at a home, residents should take those steps right away; Fish and Game said the bear will likely return a couple more times, but will eventually move on if it finds no food.
Residents are also encouraged to promptly report bear problems to their local Fish and Game office. Fish and Game said early reports can give staff more options and allow them to provide homeowners with information to make neighborhoods less attractive to bears. If you see a bear in town, report it to the Southwest Region Office in Nampa at 208-465-8465.
A Gooding man is dead after an ATV crash in Elmore County. Idaho State Police say it happened near Pine on Friday night and not long after 10:00. There were three people riding the vehicle, and all were wearing their straps. Somehow, the ATV went off the road at the intersection of Bombs Away Lane and Lester Creek Road. The vehicle left the shoulder and smacked into a tree. The 47-year-old driver died on the spot. The two passengers were airlifted to hospitals. Troopers say the crash remains under investigation.
The intersection was closed for four hours as evidence was collected and the area was cleared of debris. Pine is a popular spot for Independence Day celebrations and camping.
State Police had an all-hands-on-deck response. Elmore County Deputies, Mountain Home EMS, Mountain Home Rescue, Pine EMS, and Pine Rescue assisted troopers.
Idaho State Police Save Horned Owl
Idaho State Police saved an adorable owl on I-84 in Nampa just a few weeks ago!
SOUTHEAST BOISE, Idaho — Boise Fire Department officials say that residents have been displaced after crews responded to reports of a structure fire in the 4000 block of S. Northbridge Way in Boise on Sunday morning.
Crews arrived at the scene shortly after 1 a.m. on July 5 and found the home fully engulfed in flames, BFD said.
Engine 15, Engine 3, Engine 7, Engine 8, Truck 7, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 3 and Ada County Paramedics responded to the scene.
Fortunately, everyone in the home had safely evacuated, BFD said.
Firefighters then worked to quickly attack the fire and control the blaze. Crews remained on scene for several hours, ensuring the fire had not extended into the walls of the residence and that all remaining hot spots were fully extinguished.
BFD said that the Burnout Fund was called to assist the residents displaced.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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“Landman” star Ali Larter finds her summers in Idaho to be a lot “simpler” than when she used to live in Los Angeles.
At the Newport Beach TV Fest, Larter told Fox News Digital her summer months look “totally different” since she made the move to Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2020.
“Well, it’s totally different, so we can’t really get our kids to hike anymore. They don’t want to do that. But I can get them to take a bike ride and then do, like, a little cold plunge in the river,” Larter began.
“We love to barbecue at our house. We love to play with our dogs. My daughter will probably play some volleyball. We’ll go to Leroy’s and get an ice cream cone.
“It’s just kind of simpler, and the days are really long. The sun’s out till like 10 at night now, so it’s been really beautiful to kind of have the kids out of school and enjoy the time with them.”
Larter and Hayes MacArthur share two children — son Teddy, 15, and daughter, Vivienne, 11.
During an interview with Fox News Digital in November, Larter shared the exact moment she and her husband realized they wanted to stay in Idaho after moving there during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We went for two months thinking that the kids’ schools would be reopened in California, and they weren’t,” she recalled. “And, so, they were doing online, and the schools there were open. And, so, we were able to put our 6-year-old daughter in kindergarten for the spring semester.
“And that was a huge thing for us because we just wanted her to be around other children and have that kindergarten experience. And during that time, we met some amazing families just organically by the school,” she continued.
“And living in the town and just skiing with our children. And we really spent a tremendous amount of time together as a family.”
After living in Idaho during the latter half of the school year, Larter and her family returned to Los Angeles for the summer, and they realized that “there are so many demands as an actor” when living in the city.
She explained that actors not only audition frequently but are “expected to show up for so many things,” including parties and charity events. While she loves LA and says her “heart will always be there,” she wanted a more family-focused lifestyle.
“We just didn’t want to do that. We wanna be with our children,” she said. “And, so, that’s when I think the biggest change was we came back after that summer, and we just made a go for it and said, ‘Let’s try this and see if it works.’”
Larter attended the Newport Beach TV Fest that honored “Landman,” in which she plays Angela, Billy Bob Thornton’s recently reconciled ex-wife.
On the red carpet, Larter told Fox News Digital that Angela is a “wildcat,” and she wishes she could channel her a little bit more in everyday life.
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