Bear Facts

October 5-October 19, 2014
updated as often as possible

Fascinating Bear Fact

Black bears seldom use the same den twice during winter dormancy.

Bear Incidents

Location	Bi-weekly total	This year
Parking lots and roadsides	2	3
Campgrounds	5	81
Other areas	1	26
Residential	1	11
Wilderness	0	33
Total	9	154

Number of incidents last year
To date: 114
Total: 120

So far this year, incidents are up 35% compared to the same time last year, but down 90% since 1998.

Activity Update

Bear activity has centered in Yosemite Valley in the past couple of weeks. Multiple bears were seen foraging daily in apple trees. Several vehicles were damaged by bears while they were eating in the Curry Village Orchard Parking Lot.

Bears obtained food that was left out on multiple occasions from campgrounds. A bear also ate several bean bags that were part of a bean bag toss game. When camping, be sure to secure all food and scented items in a food locker when you are not using them.

As Halloween approaches, please remember that pumpkins are food and must be stored properly.

Slow Down!

This year, 25 bears have been hit by vehicles! (Sixteen bears were hit by cars last year.) A bear was hit this week along the Big Oak Flat Road near Crane Flat. 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

A mountain lion was seen in Foresta recently. 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).