2025 Total Property Damage: $3,937
Bear Incident Comparisons (year to date—previous years compared to 2025):
· Fewest Incidents (2019) – up by 170%
Bear Activity Summary: Bears are active throughout the park. Bears are shifting from eating early season sedges, grasses, and grubs to soft mast including berries and other fruiting plants. Mating season appears to have ended at lower elevations. June was a busy month for bears in Yosemite Valley with ten reported incidents of bears obtaining unsecured human food. Most of these occurred in Curry Village, where guests did not properly close and latch their bear-resistant food storage lockers. There were several additional incidents of a bear obtaining human food in White Wolf Campground. Keeping food in hand or locked away is the best way to protect bears in Yosemite National Park. In campgrounds and tent cabin areas, this means keeping food locked inside a closed and latched locker when not in use. Bears that obtain human food can become dangerous or aggressive and may be killed to protect public safety.
The first confirmed vehicle break-in by a bear occurred this month in Yosemite Valley, causing $2,460 in property damage. Visitors, residents, and employees are reminded that it is illegal to keep food store inside a vehicle overnight in Yosemite. Food to a bear is any item with a scent or that contains calories. During the day, all food in vehicles must be stored out of sight. Please remember to roll your car windows all the way up and lock your car doors. Never leave food/ice chests outside your vehicle ( i.e. truck beds or strapped to a carrier). The lives of Yosemite bears depend on it!
Red Bear, Dead Bear: Please help protect wildlife by obeying speed limits and being prepared to stop for animals in roadways. Nine bears have been struck in Yosemite so far this year, including six in the month of June alone.
Fascinating Bear Facts: While only black bears live in Yosemite today, historically both black and brown bears were found in the Sierra Nevada. Where both species coexist they typically live in lower population densities than in the same ecosystem type where black bears live alone.
Other Wildlife: Coyotes have been active in Yosemite Valley. Please be sure to leash pets at all times to keep wildlife and your dog safe! It is the law!
Please report bear incidents and sightings: Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or e-mail yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.