Grizzly bear count begins in Yellowstone

The US National Park Service is alerting the public that it will begin capturing grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park.

Beginning May 1, NPS, Yellowstone park staff, and scientists with the US Geological Survey will start capturing the bears. The work is being done to carry out a census of grizzly bears in the park and to determine how well the species is recovering and surviving in that ecosystem.

“Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin the field captures May 1 and continue through October 15,” NPS announced.

It made the notice public because areas where capture operations will occur will be marked with clear signage alerting the public to the work and instructing them on what to do in that immediate vicinity.

The additional danger comes from the food and roadkill biologists use to lure the bears. The bait sites are set with snares and other traps to capture grizzlies, where they are then sedated and studied.

“It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted,” NPS warns.

Grizzlies were natives of Yellowstone for eons before humans wiped them out. NPS biologists are working to reverse some of the damage and restore the park to a more natural state, with a better balance of wildlife prey and predators.

Efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears and wolves to Yellowstone and other US national parks remain controversial. Ranchers fear threats to livestock when the animals roam beyond parks’ boundaries.