Grizzly Bear Captures Set to Begin

Biologists are about to begin capturing grizzly bears inside Yellowstone National Park to help with the ongoing recovery of the bears within the Yellowstone Ecosystem. The field captures are expected to begin on June 27th and continue through August 28th, according to a press release from Yellowstone National Park.

To attract the grizzlies, natural food sources like fresh road-killed dear and elk are used, in addition to culvert traps or foot snares. Once captured, the bears are treated in accordance to strict safety and animal care protocals developed by the IGBST (Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team).

Yellowstone Park officials ask that the public obey all warning signs in capture areas, which will be clearly marked. All primary access points to the areas where captures are being conducted will be marked. The signs will be bright and easily seen to inform those in the area what is taking place. The public is not to venture into any of these areas.

For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts, you can call the IGBST hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is also available from the IGBST website:

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The main objectives of the team are to monitor the status and trend of the grizzly bear population in the GYE and determine patterns of habitat use by bears and the relationship of land management activities to the welfare of the bear population.