2017 Total Bear Incidents: 12
2017 Total Property Damage: $945

Compared to this same week 2016 (the lowest year on record for bear incidents), bear incidents in 2017 are up by 100% and damages are up by 34%. Compared to 1998 (when incidents in the park peaked), bear incidents in 2017 are down by 96%, and damages are down by 99%.

Bear Activity Summary: Bears have been very active in wilderness areas over the last few weeks and are being seen regularly along the Half Dome corridor and in Little Yosemite Valley. This past week, bear obtained food from the Little Yosemite Campground. A bear also ate freeze dried food that campers left out in the Illilouette Creek area. This week, several bear incidents occurred at the Snow Creek Area which now has an overnight camping closure in effect. When camping in Yosemite’s wilderness, always store all food, trash, and scented items in a properly secured bear resistant food storage container. To find a list of containers that are allowed for use in Yosemite, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm. This list is updated any time that there are changes to the list of allowed containers.

Red Bear, Dead Bear: A bear was hit by a vehicle on the Big Oak Flat Road. Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways.

Fascinating Bear Fact: Bear cubs can’t walk or see when they are first born. They start to see after 28 to 40 days, and it can take up to 5 weeks for them to learn to walk.

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

Other Wildlife Sightings: A mountain lion was seen near the Yosemite Valley School early one morning. 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.