NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS: Reproducible remote camera photos of bears at hair traps and scientists in the field may be found at:

http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29b.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29c.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29d.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29e.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29f.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29g.tif
http://biology.usgs.gov/pr/newsrelease/1999/3-29h.tif

For more information on the project, please visit our website at: http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/glacier/beardna.htm.

WHAT: Lecture on ground-breaking genetic sampling of GRIZZLY BEARS in Glacier National Park, Montana

WHO: Katherine Kendall, Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey

WHERE: Carmichael Auditorium, Smithsonian Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

WHEN: Mon. Mar. 20, 6 p.m

DETAILS: Kendall will describe her innovative use of noninvasive genetic sampling and DNA fingerprinting techniques to monitor grizzly bear populations in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas.

Recent advances in genetic technology have allowed Kendall to identify species, sex, and individuals from DNA extracted from bear hair and scats without handling bears. Previous grizzly population studies in forested habitats were often accomplished with the use of radio telemetry, which is expensive and disruptive to bears, as well as to park visitors.

News media are invited to attend and cover this lecture. Ms. Kendall is also available for interviews on her research by contacting Rebecca Phipps, USGS Public Affairs, at (703) 648-4414, rphipps@usgs.gov.

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, to contribute to the conservation and the sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and to enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

This press release and in-depth information about USGS programs may be found on the USGS home page: http://www.usgs.gov/ . To receive the latest USGS news releases automatically by email, send a request to