September 16–September 29, 2018
updated as often as possible
Interested in stories from the Bear Team? Follow the Yosemite Bear Team Blog to read about the challenges and successes of Yosemite's bear management.
Fascinating Bear Fact
During the fall, bears are consuming around 20,000 calories per day. An individual acorn has 70–100 calories, which means a bear must eat 200-300 acorns each day to meet its food requirements.
Bear Incidents
Location
Parking lots and roadsides: 0
Campgrounds: 3
Other areas: 2
Residential: 1
Wilderness: 9
Total: 15
Number of incidents last year: 38
So far this year, incidents are down by 5% compared to the same time last year, and down 99% since 1998 (the year with the most incidents).
Activity Update
Bears are busy across all elevations of the park devouring whatever food they come across, including late fruit, acorns, and even fish trapped in shrinking pools. Help protect bears by storing your food and scented items (toiletries, drinks, etc.) in a hard-sided building or in a latched food locker. Keeping food within arm’s reach day and night (when not stored properly) also keeps your food from curious bears.
One incident occurred recently at North Pines Campground after visitors accidentally left out drinks in a cooler overnight. The bear knocked the cooler over and bit or clawed open the drinks inside.
Slow Down!
So far this year, 13 bears have been hit by cars along park roads. Help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals on roads. A map of bear-hit-by-vehicle hotspots, along with other Yosemite Bear Information, can be viewed at: www.KeepBearsWild.org
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
Mountain lions have been reported across Yosemite National Park.
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).