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In response to the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a Charlevoix County cattle herd, the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture & Rural Development, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture are conducting deer sampling in Charlevoix and Antrim counties to determine if the disease is present in the local wild deer population. There have been no previously documented cases of bovine TB in deer in these counties. Read more

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Featuring perspectives from state and tribal wildlife managers, ranchers, outfitters, conservationists, and others living and working in grizzly country, the film highlights the importance of balanced, science-based wildlife management and public education.

SCI Foundation’s Education Department has released a new one-hour documentary, Grizzly Bears Beyond the Horizon, now available to watch on YouTube. The film takes viewers deep into grizzly country to explore one of North America’s most significant conservation success stories—the recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems—and the modern realities of managing a thriving population alongside people.

Real voices from grizzly country

Through interviews with state and tribal wildlife managers, ranchers, outfitters, a bear attack survivor, and conservationists, Grizzly Bears Beyond the Horizon centers real voices from the communities most directly affected by grizzly recovery. The documentary examines the decades of collaboration that brought the species back from the brink and explores why the next chapter must be guided by science-based decision-making, public education, and shared responsibility for coexistence.

Production and partners

The film was produced by Discover MediaWorks. Funding partners include Safari Club International Foundation, Sables, Hunters Legacy Fund, Bear Trust International, and the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation. Contributing partners include Wyoming Game and Fish, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Natural Resources Department, People and Carnivores, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, the Fire tribe, and Silverline Films. Read more

As part of ongoing monitoring efforts to document recovery of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Yellowstone National Park, is working to inform the public that pre-baiting and scientific capture operations are once again about to begin within Yellowstone National Park. Agency biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will begin the field captures May 1 and continue through October 15. Capture operations can include a variety of activities, but all areas where work is being conducted will have major access points marked with warning signs. It is critical that all members of the public heed these signs.

Monitoring of the grizzly bear population is vital to ongoing research and management of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. To attract bears, biologists use natural food sources such as recently 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 are used to capture bears. Once captured, bears are handled in accordance with strict safety and animal care protocols developed by the IGBST and approved by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Whenever bear capture activities are being conducted for scientific purposes, the area around the site will be posted with brightly colored warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. These signs are posted along the major access points to the capture site. It is important that the public heed these signs and do not venture into an area that has been posted. For more information regarding grizzly bear capture efforts call the IGBST trapping hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about the grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website: https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team