Yosemite Bear Facts—August 25 to August 31, 2019

2019 Total Bear Incidents: 16
2019 Total Property Damage: $ 1180

Compared to this same week in 2018 (the lowest year on record for bear incidents), bear incidents this year are up by 45.5% and damage amounts (in dollars) are up by 31.5%.

Compared to 1998 (when incidents in the park peaked), bear incidents in 2019 are down by 98.7%, and damages are down by 99.7%.

Bear Activity Summary: As days become shorter and temperatures cool off, bears enter a period of hyperphagia when it becomes critical to find and consume as many calories as possible before winter’s food shortages. Natural food sources including late berries and acorns are abundant across Yosemite, however the stress of food scarcity can cause bears to become bolder and more curious. It is imperative to follow food storage regulations day and night and to report bear sightings or damage quickly.

Five incidents have occurred over the past few weeks including: a sow and cub obtaining food from an occupied campsite in Yosemite Valley, hikers throwing their lunch at a bear at the top of Nevada Fall, a bear knocking over bear resistant food containers at Snow Creek, and a bear obtaining horse pellets from Bridalveil Creek campground.

Red Bear, Dead Bear: Eleven bears have been hit by vehicles this year, with one bear having to be subsequently euthanized. Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways. Yosemite is implementing “Wildlife Protection Zones” this month. These zones are located in areas of the park that experience high levels of collisions with wildlife; speed limits will be strictly enforced in efforts to protect wildlife from vehicle strikes. A map of bear-hit-by-vehicle hotspots, along with other Yosemite Bear Information an be viewed at: https://www.KeepBearsWild.org.

Fascinating Bear Fact: In autumn bears may forage up to 20 hours a day, eating up to 20,000 calories every day. That’s the equivalent of 100 fast-food soft tacos!

Please report bear incidents and sightings: Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at +1 209 372-0322 or e-mail yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.