CHEWELAH, Wash. – The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office has captured a photo of a grizzly bear that broke into a chicken coop and warned residents to remain cautious.
According to the sheriff’s office, on the morning of June 2, a bear was spotted breaking into a chicken coop just north of Chewelah. In the following days, it was confirmed that the bear was a grizzly wearing a radio collar. This is the same grizzly bear trapped in the Onion Creek area north of Colville last September.
Deputies have stated that the bear remains wary of people and is searching for easy food sources and typical seasonal bear foods.
“Northeast Washington is bear country. We urge all community members to remove or secure all bear attractants on their properties and protect their small livestock and chickens with electric fencing. It is crucial to keep garbage inaccessible to bears,” said the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.
Grizzly bears are listed as “Threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Please report grizzly sightings to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2936 Option 1 or the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office at 509-684-5296, after hours at 509-684-2555.
