Bears continue to be very active in Valley campgrounds. Bears obtained improperly stored food on multiple occasions throughout campgrounds. Several vehicles were damaged in the past few weeks after visitors failed to remove all food and scented items from their cars. Remember to always store food in a secured food storage locker overnight while camping or in a completely hard-sided trailer or RV. Never store food in a tent or vehicle overnight.
Additionally, bears obtained human food several times after visitors became scared upon seeing a bear while cooking or picnicking and abandoned their food. Remember bears are active day and night and it is always important to store your food when not using it and to be prepared to defend your food so that it does not become an easy meal for park wildlife. If you see a bear during your visit please report it to the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209 372-0322.
Bi-Weekly Total # of Incidents and Damage:
- Parking Logs: 0, $0
- Campgrounds: 3, $560
- Other Areas: 5, $275
- Residential : 1, $5
- Wilderness: 2. $25
- 1998 Incidents: 291, 2015 Incidents: 20, Percent Change: -91.13%
- 2014 Incidents: 16, 2015 Incidents: 20, Percent Change 25%
- 1998 Damages: $137,220, 2015 Damages: $1,125, Percent Change: -99.18%
- 2014 Damages: $645, 2015 Damages: $1.125, Percent Change: 74.42%
Interesting Bear Fact: An average adult male Yosemite black bear weighs 200-350 pounds.
Other Wildlife Sightings: Several mountain lions have been reported along the Chilnualna Falls trail recently, and a lion was also sighted in Yosemite Valley near the NPS Maintenance Complex and in the Wawona Campground. 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.
