Yellowstone National Park

Grizzly bear research resumes in Yellowstone for 38th year

Posted: May 19, 2011 11:01 PM by Q2 News
Updated: May 19, 2011 11:04 PM

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY. - For the 38th straight year, biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will conduct scientific grizzly bear research operations in Yellowstone National Park this summer.

The study will monitor the activities and population of grizzly bears within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from May 24 to July 7.

The gathering of critical data on the protected bears is part of a long-term research effort required under the Endangered Species Act. The project will help wildlife managers devise and implement programs to support the ongoing recovery of Yellowstone's grizzly bear population.

Over the coming weeks, team members will bait and trap bears at several remote sites within Yellowstone National Park. Once trapped, the bears will be anesthetized to allow wildlife biologists to radio-collar and collect scientific samples for study.

Officials emphasize that none of the trap sites within Yellowstone will be located near any established hiking trails or backcountry campsites, and all trap sites will have posted warnings.

Research officials say 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 Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was formed in 1973 to study the impacts of the National Park Service's decision to close open pit garbage dumps and transition to natural ecosystem management of wildlife.

The IGBST is composed of representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, 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.

Topics: Billings, KTVQ, Yellowstone National Park, grizzly bear, research