Public
reminded to heed warning signs
YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK
As part of
ongoing efforts to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem, Yellowstone National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey
would like to inform the public that biologists with the National Park Service
and Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team will be continuing scientific grizzly
bear research operations in Yellowstone National Park through Oct. 31.
Team members
will bait and capture bears at several remote sites within Yellowstone National
Park. Once captured, the bears are anesthetized to allow wildlife biologists to
radio-collar and collect scientific samples for study. All capturing and
handling is done in accordance with strict protocols developed by the IGBST.
None of the capture sites in the park will be located near any established
hiking trails or backcountry campsites, and all capture sites will have posted
warnings for the closure perimeter. Potential access points will also be posted
with warning signs for the closure area. Backcountry users who come upon any of
these posted areas need to heed the warnings and stay out of the area.
The IGPST was established in 1973 to collaboratively monitor and manage
ecosystem bears on an interagency basis. The gathering of critical data on
bears is part of a long-term research and monitoring effort to help wildlife
managers devise and implement programs to support the ongoing conservation of
Yellowstone’s grizzly bear and black bear populations.
The IGBST is composed of representatives of the USGS, NPS, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern
Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game Department, and the states of Idaho, Montana and
Wyoming.
For more information regarding grizzly bear research efforts call (406)
994-6675.
