Officials at Yellowstone National Park are warning visitors to take care when exploring as work begins to capture grizzly bears to monitor the population.
Biologists from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will soon begin a field capture and release exercise using natural food sources such as fresh road-killed deer and elk as bait. If signs suggest that there are grizzlies in the area, biologists will use culvert traps or foot snares to capture the animals.
"Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the US Geological Survey and the National Park Service," the NPS explained.
The study team will post signs along major routes leading to the capture areas, and the National Park Service has advised hikers exploring the park to take care. "It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted," the NPS said.
Work on the project is scheduled to continue until the end of October. If you're planning a visit to Yellowstone and have any questions, you can call the NPS on 406-994-6675 for more information and advice.
