Bear Facts: May 18-24

Bears were reported on a daily basis in Yosemite Valley. There have also been multiple bear observations around the Glacier Point area.

Bears continue to be active nightly in Yosemite Valley. Three incidents occurred this week in Valley campsites. Two of these incidents involved visitors who did not store their food properly at their campsite, while the third incident happened because a group of people abandoned their food out of fear when they saw a bear nearby. Your food is your property - it is your responsibility to remain in control of it at all times. Always keep food within arm’s reach. If you see a bear while eating yell, and make noise to scare it away.

Three bear incidents occurred this week at Housekeeping Camp involving people leaving out food and/or attractants. These incidents could have been prevented by simply storing food properly in latched bear lockers. If you see a bear during your visit please report it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322.

Red Bear, Dead Bear: Four bears have been hit by vehicles this year. Two bears were hit by vehicles on Highway 41, one bear was hit and killed near the South Fork Bridge on Tioga Road, and another bear was hit in Yosemite Valley near the Pines campgrounds. Please protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and paying attention while driving.

Interesting Bear Fact: Bears live on average 18 years. The oldest know bear in California lived to be 33.

Other Wildlife Sightings: Mountain lions were reported near Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley, in El Portal near the Trailer Court, and near the Wawona Campground this week. 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.

Quote
eeek

Bears continue to be active nightly in Yosemite Valley. Three incidents occurred this week in Valley campsites. Two of these incidents involved visitors who did not store their food properly at their campsite, while the third incident happened because a group of people abandoned their food out of fear when they saw a bear nearby.

Sigh... When will people learn.

Quote
eeek

Other Wildlife Sightings: Mountain lions were reported near Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley, in El Portal near the Trailer Court, and near the Wawona Campground this week.

I would be far far more concerned with this development.

Mountain lions becoming "habitualized" to the presence of humans could be very dangerous (to both humans and the mountain lions). I would also be very concerned about young children playing unsupervised around these areas that have had recent mountain lions sightings.

.