2025 Total Property Damage: $4,111
Bear Incident Comparisons (year to date—previous years compared to 2025):
Fewest Incidents (2019) – up by 150%
Bear Activity Summary: Bears are active throughout the park. Three new incidents occurred in July, all in wilderness areas involving bears getting human food from hikers and backpackers. Two of these incidents occurred on the Snow Creek Trail above the footbridge and the third incident was above the Yosemite Falls trail. Other bear observations have come in from Tuolumne Meadows where a bear has been scavenging a deer carcass and from the Crane Flat campground. Please remember to always keep your food with you when out day hiking or enjoying the park –within arm’s-reach.
Bears in Yosemite Valley have been eating apples from the historic apple trees and the remaining summer raspberry crop. Many park workgroups came together on July 23, along with volunteers, to pick apples from the Curry Village parking lot where the apples draw bears into areas with people. Picking the fruit helps reduce human-bear incidents protecting both bears and human safety.
Red Bear, Dead Bear: Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways. Sixteen bears have been struck in Yosemite so far this year, including seven in the month of July. Two bears hit by vehicles in July died as a result of the vehicle strikes.
Fascinating Bear Facts: Bears can travel great distances to return to a known food source. Relocated bears frequently return within days in Yosemite, and in the process of returning, risk encountering vehicles as well as human development. For this reason, YNP usually avoids relocating bears.
Other Wildlife: A mountain lion and cub were observed crossing the Wawona road at Wawona campground.
Please report bear incidents and sightings: Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or e-mail yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.