Idaho bear euthanized after injuring two residents in Salmon

A young bear attacked two residents on the porch of their home in the Sunset Heights subdivision near Salmon, Idaho, on Oct. 4, 2026, around 3:30 a.m., leaving both people injured.

The incident has drawn attention to the increasing hazards of wildlife encounters in rural areas, prompting officials to remind residents of precautionary measures that can reduce the likelihood of attacks.

One of the injured victims was airlifted by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for treatment, while the other received on‑scene care. Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) was alerted by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office and deployed its Wildlife Human Attack Response Team to secure the scene.

Using a professional houndsman, authorities tracked the bear, its sibling and a presumed mother in the surrounding area. All three animals were subsequently euthanized, officials said, to eliminate further public safety threats.

Sheriff’s Office officials emphasized standard preventive steps: remove outdoor food odors, secure trash and pet food, clean grills, manage fruit trees, block entry points to homes, keep doors and windows closed, and consider deterrent mats around property perimeters.

The attack follows a July incident in Fremont County where a jogger and his dog encountered a bear in a state park; the jogger escaped uninjured and the dog was unharmed.

Idaho’s bear population has risen this year, and more residents are moving into bear country, increasing the frequency of “unfavorable human‑bear interactions.” Experts note that while black bears are generally adaptable, they may exhibit predatory behavior when habituated to human food sources.

State wildlife officials will continue monitoring bear activity in the region and encourage residents to follow safety recommendations to protect both people and wildlife.