Researchers will continue to capture and study grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park over the coming months.

The U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with the National Park Service, originally planned to conduct pre-baiting and scientific capture operations in the park between June 27 and Aug. 28. However, park officials recently announced that biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) now intend to continue field captures through Oct. 23.

Capture operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have primary access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs, park officials say.

The work is part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution and other activities “are vital to ongoing recovery of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem,” the Park Service said.

In order to attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as fresh road-killed deer and elk. Potential capture sites are baited with these natural foods and if indications are that grizzly bears are in the area, culvert traps or foot snares will be used to capture the bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST.

For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts, call the IGBST hotline at 406-994-6675 or visit www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team.