YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Ever wondered how scientists wrangle their ursine subjects?
Yellowstone National Park (YNP) has shared photos of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) laying a culvert trap within the park.
YNP announced that biologists in the park would be capturing grizzly bears for scientific research in August. Captures began on Aug. 28 and continue through Oct. 31. The plan is part of the Endangered Species Act’s monitoring of grizzly population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and work will be carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS).
Bears are lured toward capture sites with natural food sources, including fresh road-killed deer and elk. Once a bear tugs on the bait placed in one end of the trap, the cord attached to the bait will trigger the closing of the door on the other end.
Visitors to YNP should be on the lookout for bright warning signs like the one below, warning them of nearby bait placement.
“Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution and other activities are vital to ongoing recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” YNP said.
