Biologists trapping, tagging Yellowstone grizzlies in May

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Wildlife officials say they will begin trapping bears inside Yellowstone National Park in early May.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported that the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team will be trapping both grizzly and black bears as part of monitoring efforts required by federal protections. Biologists will attach radio collars to the animals and collect scientific samples.

The effort is part of an attempt to monitor the Yellowstone region’s grizzly bears, which are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. There is a pending proposal to remove the bears from the list, but it hasn’t been finalized yet.

The trapping will happen in remote areas far from hiking trails or backcountry camping sites. All trapping sites will have warnings posted around the perimeter.