Over the weekend an adult grizzly bear was spotted in the city of Cody. The bear has not been caught yet but trapping operations are underway.
The Cody Police Department first announced grizzly activity on its Facebook page Saturday afternoon, asking residences to take appropriate safety precautions.
Dan Smith, a regional wildlife supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said the bear was attracted to the apple trees in the area.
“At this time of the year, bears are looking for food and this just happens to be where this one found some,” Smith said.
He said bears need extra food so they can gain weight for winter. However, it’s not normal for a grizzly bear to come down to residential areas.
“We live in an area that is periphery to grizzly bear habitat but we don't like to see them in town,” Smith said.
This grizzly sighting comes as the state’s grizzly bear hunt is on hold while a federal district court judge decides whether to put the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear back under federal protections.
Wyoming Game and Fish is encouraging the public to call the local office at 307-527-7125 if anyone sees a bear or bear activity in residential areas.
