Grizzly Bear relocated
by Wyoming Game & Fish
May 27, 2009
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests, trapped and relocated a sub-adult male grizzly bear on Saturday, May 23, 2009. The bear had been frequenting home sites along the Wind River west of Dubois.
The bear was released on May 24, 2009, in the Sheffield Creek drainage approximately 20 miles north of Moran on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The release site is located within currently occupied grizzly bear habitat and the Grizzly Bear Primary Conservation Area.
Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool afforded bear management personnel to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzlies. The decision to relocate and the selection of a relocation site is made taking into consideration the age, sex, and type of conflict the bear was involved in. Consultation with the appropriate land management agency is also made to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the survival potential of the relocated grizzlies. Bears are relocated in accordance with state management plans and the Yellowstone Grizzly Conservation Strategy. When selecting a relocation site, the Department makes every consideration to minimize potential conflicts with livestock and people.
Bears can create conflicts after they have obtained food rewards. The Department continues to stress the importance of keeping all attractants (food items, horse feeds, bird seed and others) unavailable to bears. Reducing attractants reduces human-bear conflicts.
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