Yosemite Bear Facts July 21-27

2019 Total Bear Incidents: 11
2019 Total Property Damage: $ 820

Compared to this same week 2018 (the lowest year on record for bear incidents), bear incidents in 2019 are down by 11% and damage amounts (in dollars) are almost equal. Compared to 1998 (when incidents in the park peaked), bear incidents in 2019 are down by 97.4%, and damages are down by 99.5%.

Bear Activity Summary: July brings an abundance of berries, apples and bear activity. The wilderness has hosted most of the incidents this summer thus far. When camping in bear country, respect campsite closures and consider stacking pots and pans on your bear resistant food container(s) so that it will make noise to scare a bear away and alert you if a bear is investigating your supplies. Bear activity remains high in Yosemite Valley. Bears are foraging on raspberries, cherries and apples often near campgrounds and popular trails. Both Tuolumne Meadows and Bridalveil Creek campgrounds have had bears obtain food from the campground during the day with visitors present. It is critical to keep food within arm's reach at all times, maintain 50 yards distance from bears, and yell to scare bears that are in developed areas or approaching people.

Red Bear, Dead Bear: Five bear have been hit by vehicles this year. Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways. A map of bear-hit-by-vehicle hotspots, along with other Yosemite Bear Information an be viewed at http://www.KeepBearsWild.org.

Fascinating Bear Fact: The largest mammalian carnivore that ever lived was the giant short-faced bear. Twice the size of the biggest modern bear, it stood 6’5” at the shoulder when on all fours.