Idaho wildlife officials move dumpster-diving grizzly

ELMIRA, Idaho — Idaho wildlife officials say they have removed a grizzly that was raiding trash dumpsters for food near the northern Idaho town of Elmira.

The 175-pound female was caught in a baited trap earlier this week and released into the wilderness in the upper Priest Lake area.

The female is one of two spotted recently near Elmira, near the Selkirk Mountain foothills.

Wayne Wakkinen, a state fish and game biologist, says the bears typically wander to lower elevation areas in search of forage like skunk cabbage, clover and other food sources. But he says the trash bins offer an easier source of calories for the creatures.

Wakkinen says the agency will talk to residents about keeping trash in secure places to reduce interaction with grizzlies.