Yosemite National Park Red Bear, Dead Bear Sign
These signs in the park are where bears have been hit by vehicles.

2020 Total Bear Incidents:12
2020 Total Property Damage:$2,155

August 3, 2020 - Compared to 2019 (the lowest year on record for number of bear incidents), bear incidents this year are down by 7.7% and property damage is up by 114.5%. Compared to 1998 (when incidents in the park peaked), bear incidents this year are down by  96.9%, and property damage is down by 98.8%.

This week a bear got a substantial amount of food from visitors at Swinging Bridge picnic area. People were present but they were not able to keep the bear out of their food. Rangers arrived and were able to scare the bear away. The following day the same bear damaged an unoccupied tent in a campground. Later in the week another bear tore into a bike trailer that had food stored inside. Additionally bears have been seen near residences on multiple occasions this week. Visitors and residents alike need to remember to store food properly, and yell and make noise when they see a bear near a developed area.

Red Bear, Dead Bear:  Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways.  This week a bear cub was hit and killed on the Wawona Road, and a yearling was hit and killed along the Tioga Road. At least five bears have been hit by vehicles this year, with three of those bears dying on scene.

Fascinating Bear Facts:  Most of Yosemite’s black bears don’t have black fur. Black bears, particularly in California come in a variety shades of brown or blonde. This time of year bears are molting, which can make the fur on their back much lighter in color than the fur on their legs and face.

For more information visit KeepBearsWild.org

Please report bear incidents and sightings:Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or e-mail yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.
Source: C. Lee-Roney/NPS