A U.S. Geological Survey report for 2024, updated this past April, shows that as the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem increases, so have lethal management removals of the bears. A total of 77 grizzlies were listed on the agency’s list of probable mortalities, 60 of which took place in Wyoming.

The vast majority of the removals were inside the Demographic Monitoring Area (DMA), which is the area of suitable habitat, as mapped by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. A total of 46 deaths occurred inside the DMA last year, eight of which were caused by humans, but not removals.

Three grizzly bears drowned in cement-sided canals, two were hit by vehicles, two were electrocuted near Cascade Creek in Yellowstone National Park, and one was killed in self defense.

There were 27 grizzly bear mortalities reported outside the DMA, all but three happening in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department carries out removals after consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In many cases, grizzly bears are relocated prior to lethal removal. After consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department captured and relocated an adult male grizzly bear on May 16, one of the first such relocations so far in 2025. 

The grizzly bear was captured for cattle depredation on private land. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the grizzly bear was relocated to the Glade Creek drainage approximately 2.5 miles south of Yellowstone National Park. 

Grizzly bears are relocated in accordance with state and federal law and regulation. Game and Fish is required to update the public whenever a grizzly bear is relocated.

Grizzly bear relocation is a management tool large carnivore biologists use to minimize conflicts between humans and grizzly bears. Bears that are considered a threat to human safety are not relocated. In some cases, a bear may be removed from the population (euthanized) if it cannot be relocated successfully.

Capture is necessary when other deterrents or preventative options are exhausted or unattainable. Once the animal is captured, all circumstances are taken into account when determining if the individual should be relocated. If relocation is warranted, a site is determined by considering the age, sex and type of conflict the bear was involved in as well as potential human activity nearby.

How can you help?

Game and Fish continues to stress the importance of the public’s responsibility in bear management and the importance of keeping all attractants such as food, garbage, horse feed and bird seed unavailable to bears. Reducing attractants available to bears reduces human-bear conflicts, and in some cases, relocations.