Grizzly Bear Trapping Planned

The Idaho Department of Fish & Game has announced that pre-baiting and scientific trapping operations are beginning again in the Upper Snake Region west of the Tetons.  Spokesman Gregg Losinski says these efforts are part of what is required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the distribution of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Biologists, who make up Idaho’s portion of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, will begin to work mainly in the portion of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest inside of the caldera in the Island Park area.  Trapping begins May 21st and continues until mid-July.  Losinski says eight grizzly bears will be fitted with GPS collars and others will be outfitted with traditional radio collars to enable biologists to monitor their movement in the area.  He says all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with bright orange warning signs, and it is crucial that all members of the public heed these signs and not enter posted areas.