Red Bear, Dead Bear sign in Yosemite National Park
2016 Total Bear Incidents: 31 (with 7 additional garbage incidents)
2016 Total Property Damage: $4,734
August 26. 2016 - Compared to 2015 (the lowest year on record for bear incidents), bear incidents in 2016 are down by 54% and damages are up by 12%. Compared to 1998 (when incidents in the park peaked), bear incidents in 2016 are down by 97%, and damages are down by 99%.
Bear Activity Summary: Three bear incidents occurred in Yosemite in the last two weeks, all were in wilderness areas. Two of these incidents happened at Harden Lake after toiletries and scented items were left inside a tent and a pack at a backcountry campsite. A bear cannot tell the difference between something that smells good, but tastes bad until it’s been bitten into. For that reason, protect your gear by removing anything that has a scent (including sealed food, food garbage, and toiletries) from your pack, tent, or campsite and store it in a latched bear proof container. Additionally another incident recently occurred in the LYV area after visitors stashed their packs to continue up the Half Dome Trail. The bear tore into packs and damaged gear. It is impossible to know what a bear might investigate out of curiosity. Keep all food and belongings within arm’s reach while hiking.
Please report bear incidents and sightings: Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or email yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.
Red Bear, Dead Bear: So far this year, eighteen bears have been hit by vehicles in Yosemite. Six of these bears were killed on impact. Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways.
Fascinating Bear Fact: Black bears have a “mean curiosity index” of 59, beating out weasels, otters, dogs, raccoons, and cats.
Other Wildlife Sightings: A mountain lion was reported in Half Dome Village in Yosemite Valley on August 8th, and another lion was reported on the Panorama Trail the following day. For more information on mountain lions in Yosemite National Park, please visit the National Park Service website, http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/mountainlion.htm.
Source: NPS - J. Trust
