JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) will soon begin its annual project of capturing grizzly bears to mark and monitor the apex predators in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).
Earlier this month, WGFD announced the seasonal commencement of the initiative in collaboration with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. The announcement states that the two agencies will conduct capture operations in areas of northwest Wyoming from spring to early fall.
“Annual monitoring of this population is vital to the ongoing management and conservation of grizzly bears in Wyoming,” the statement reads. “Information obtained through these efforts is used to assess the status and health of grizzly bears in the ecosystem and provides insight into population dynamics critical to demonstrate the continued recovery and conservation of grizzly bears.”
After being captured, the bears are marked and released on site to then be monitored in accordance with jointly developed guidelines.
WGFD noted that all areas where captures are conducted will be marked with warning signs at major access points, as well as area closures in the direct vicinity of the study sites.
“It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs,” WGFD said in the announcement.
