EBS STAFF
As part of ongoing monitoring efforts to document recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Geological Survey and Yellowstone National Park announced that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are about to begin within Yellowstone National Park.
Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team will begin the field captures Sept. 1 and continue through Oct. 15. Capture operations include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs.
“It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs,” a joint press release from YNP and USGS stated.
Population monitoring is “vital” to ongoing research and management of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, according to the release. To attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as recently road-killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications show that grizzly bears are in the area, researchers will use culvert traps or foot snares to capture bears.
“Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the U.S. Geological Survey,” the release stated.
Whenever researchers are conducting bear capture activities for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the capture site.
The press release reminds the public that it is important to not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts, the release asked the public to call the IGBST trapping hotline at 406-994-6675.
Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website.
