Bear Facts

October 13-19, 2013
updated as often as possible

Fascinating Bear Fact

American black bears can walk upright (bipedal), but do so usually only for a few steps.

Bear Incidents

Location	This week	This year
Parking lots and roadsides	0	5
Campgrounds	0	23
Other areas	1	34
Wilderness	0	52
Total	1	114

Number of incidents last year
To date: 147
Total: 155

So far this year, incidents are down 22% compared to the same time last year, and down 92% since 1998.

Activity Update

In Yosemite Valley, a bear got food from visitors in a popular and crowded picnic area. It is important to keep food within arm’s reach at all times since bears are active both day and night. Wandering away from your food even for a minute provides a bear (or other wildlife) the opportunity to get food. Please help preserve natural wildlife behavior by keeping your food to yourself.

Several bears continue to be active in El Portal residential areas. This week a bear has been seen eating fruit in fruit trees in Old El Portal. Please protect yourself and your property by always clipping dumpsters and properly storing food and scented items inside your residence. Please do not leave windows or doors open if you are not home.

Bears have consistently been foraging along roadsides within the park. Always drive the speed limit within the park, and scan ahead for wildlife especially around drainages and around blind turns.

SLOW DOWN!

This year, 16 bears have been hit by vehicles! Please protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and paying attention while driving.

Let us know if you see a bear, no matter where it is or what it's doing. Call 209/372-0322 or send an email.

Learn more about bear biology and bear management in Yosemite.

Other Wildlife Sightings

This week, a resident saw a mountain lion while out jogging near the bottom of Foresta Rd at dusk. Last week a resident saw a mountain lion in the evening near Curry Village. For more information on mountain lions in Yosemite National Park, please visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/mountainlion.htm.

Note: A bear incident occurs when a bear causes a monetary loss to a person--that is, if the bear causes property damage or obtains food. Bear incidents also include cases of bears causing injury to a person (which are fairly uncommon).