Bear Activity Summary: Bears have been reported consistently in the backcountry this season. This week, a bear at Sunrise Creek Junction on the JMT was able to obtain food set down next to a bear can by approaching backpackers while they were cooking. Always store food and scented items inside a locked canister when backpacking in the wilderness. Keep camp tidy when cooking so if a bear approaches, it is possible to gather food and lock it in the canister while attempting to scare the bear away. Bears continue to be seen regularly in Yosemite Valley and in Tuolumne Meadows.
Compared to 1998, Incidents are down by 93 percent and property damage is down by 99 percent. Compared to last year, incidents are down by 31 percent and property damage is down by 83 percent. If you see a bear during your visit please report it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322.
Weekly Incidents by Location
- 1 – Valley Maintenance Lot
- 2 – Sunrise Creek Junction on the John Muir Trail
Red Bear, Dead Bear: This week TWO bears were hit by cars in Yosemite Valley. One bear was hit along Northside Drive at El Capitan and the other was on Highway 140 at Arch Rock. This year, 16 bears have been hit by vehicles. Please protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and paying attention while driving.
Interesting Bear Fact: Acorns are a large food source for bears. Sometimes bears can be seen eating acorns in trees for hours in the fall.
Other Wildlife Sightings: This week, mountain lions were reportedly seen on three separate occasions in Yosemite Valley at Sentinel Bridge, in Cook’s Meadow, and near the Upper Falls trailhead behind Camp 4. For more information on mountain lions in Yosemite National Park, please visit:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/mountainlion.htm.
