8-9 SS Grizz attack

   You all may remember the surprise grizzly encounter that left a research technician with minor injuries. I have an update on Sportsman’s Spotlight.  Late in the morning of Monday, July 29 while working to collect habitat data as part of a grizzly bear habitat research project, Brett Panting, a wildlife technician working for the Wildlife Conservation Society was bitten by a grizzly bear.  The incident occurred near the Davis Lake Area of Big Bend Ridge which is part of Island Park. After biting Panting the bear ran off and other volunteers were able to transport him to Eastern Idaho Medical Center. He was treated for puncture wounds and lacerations and was being  held for minor surgery and observation. I called Fish and Game spokesperson Gregg Losinski to find out how Mr. Panting was doing.  “It took quite a  bit  of stitching, there were about seven layers of tissue to be worked on, the big concern is always infection but he is doing well and he is at home and hopefully he will recover fully with only minor tissue damage.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest staff are working with Idaho Fish & Game to determine on how to proceed with the situation and affected livestock permitees are being contacted.   All of Island Park is habitat for both black & grizzly bears, anyone utilizing the forest is encouraged to carry bear spray and to make noise while moving through dense vegetation.