Bear Facts

October 20, 2024

updated as often as possible

Bear Incidents

Location

Wilderness: 10

Campgrounds: 1

Parking lots and roadsides: 1

Residential: 11

Other areas: 11

Total: 34

Number of incidents last year: 38

So far this year, incidents are:

• up by 6% compared to last year
• up by 55% compared to the year with the fewest incidents (2019)
• down by 98% compared to the year with the most incidents (1998)

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).

Activity Summary

So far this year, about one third of bear incidents have occurred in Yosemite’s residential areas, another third have happened in wilderness, and the rest were in various frontcountry areas. This highlights the important impact we all have on wildlife in Yosemite both living here and visiting the park. Constant diligence with your food storage is important and can have drastic impacts on the lives of the bears that live here.

Bears this time of year are spending the majority of their time eating, trying to pack on pounds for hibernation. Acorns are a primary food source for bears in the fall, and the crop of acorns is particularly large this year. Bear activity has been picking back up in Yosemite Valley the past couple of weeks, with a bear getting into a food storage locker that was not properly latched this week.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.

Slow Down!

Twenty bears have been hit by vehicles with three confirmed dead. Help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals on roads.

Fascinating Bear Fact

Fat is the only source of metabolic energy during black bear hibernation. In the fall, bears focus on food with high fat content (such as acorns) over high protein content. Hyperphagia is over-eating in order to build these fat reserves.

Learn more about bear biology and bear management in Yosemite.

Other Wildlife

Mule deer bachelor groups have been very active roadside in developed areas, foraging for oak leaves and acorns causing frequent traffic jams and crowds. Always avoid getting close to wildlife. Deer are particularly unpredictable in the fall with hormonal changes impacting behavior.