Yellowstone National Park Press Release
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) announced Tuesday that biologists in the park would begin capturing grizzly bears for scientific research.
According to YNP, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin field captures 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).
“Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution and other activities are vital to ongoing recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” YNP’s press release said.
Bears will be lured to potential capture sites with natural food sources including fresh road-killed deer and elk, according to the release. A combination of culvert traps and foot snares will be used. Captured bears will be handled in accordance with IGBST-developed animal care protocols that have been approved by the USGS and NPS.
Areas in which bear capture activities are being conducted will be clearly marked with bright warning signs. YNP says these signs will be posted along “the major access points to the capture site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted,” the release said.
For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts, call the IGBST hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website: https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team.
