The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the illegal killing of a federally protected grizzly bear in northern Idaho — just miles from the Montana state line — has been raised to $15,000, wildlife advocates announced this week.
The Center for Biological Diversity said it is offering $7,300 for information in the case, bringing the total reward to $15,000 when combined with funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Idaho’s Citizens Against Poaching program.
The female grizzly bear was killed in late 2025 north of Perkins Lake, near the Idaho–Montana border. Wildlife officials determined the bear, part of the critically imperiled Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem population, was not posing a threat at the time she was shot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering up to $7,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction, with additional funds provided through Idaho’s Citizens Against Poaching program. The Center for Biological Diversity’s contribution raises the total reward to $15,000.
Grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Killing one is a federal crime punishable by substantial fines and potential prison time.
Federal and state wildlife officials are asking anyone with information about the killing to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service TIPs line at (844) FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or visit www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips. Tips may also be submitted to Citizens Against Poaching at (800) 632-5999 or citizensagainstpoaching.org. Callers may remain anonymous.
Photo source: Pixabay
