Yellowstone's Bears

NPS/Hottle

A large grizzly feeds on a carcass.

Bears may be seen in Yellowstone March through November. Yellowstone is one of the only areas south of Canada that still has large grizzly bear populations. In 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the Greater Yellowstone Area grizzly bear population segment had recovered sufficient numbers and distribution to be removed from the threatened-species list. In 2009, the delisting ruling was overturned and the population was returned to the threatened-species list; management continues under the 2006 revision of the recovery plan. Grizzly bears are usually seen in the open areas. Look for black bears along the edges of trees in the Lamar and Hayden valleys, or among the trees near Mammoth and Tower.

 

You can use the section below to teach yourself about bear ecology by learning what foods are available at certain times of the year, what areas are closed, and bear management in Yellowstone.

Click this link for more info on bear safety
Bear Management Update	Recovery and Conservation
Bear Management Areas	Bear Management Office Recent Publications
Bear Characteristics	Mortality
Bear Foods	Sightings
Denning/Hibernation	Bear Sighting Form

 

The Yellowstone Park Foundation funds the Wildlife and Visitor Safety Program: a program geared toward management of roadside bears. Donated funds also buy bear-proof food storage containers for the park's roadside campgrounds. Yellowstone Park Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve and enhance Yellowstone National Park.