Grizzly Bear Relocated
From north of Pinedale to the Cody area
by Wyoming Game & Fish
September 22, 2009
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department trapped and relocated a young adult male grizzly bear on September 18, 2009.
The bear was captured because of its involvement with a cattle depredation on the Bridger-Teton National Forest north of Pinedale. In cooperation with the Shoshone National Forest, the bear was relocated to the North Fork of the Shoshone River drainage five miles east of Yellowstone National Park. 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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