Bear Incident Comparisons (year to date—previous years compared to 2025):
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Last year (2024) – up by 3%
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Most Incidents (1998) – down by 98%
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Fewest Incidents (2019) – up by 55%
Black bears can eat up 20,000 calories per day in the fall preparing for hibernation. Because they are so focused on gaining weight this time of year, it is more important than ever to keep your distance (at least 50 yards or four shuttle bus lengths) from bears and to store food properly. Bears are smart and given the opportunity can very quickly learn that it takes a lot less effort to consume rich and fatty human food to reach their 20,000 calorie goal. There is plenty of natural food for bears. While human food may be a quick reward, it can ultimately be a death sentence by making bears lose their wildness and become aggressive towards people.
Red Bear, Dead Bear: Twenty-seven bears have been struck by vehicles so far in 2025, making this year on track to have one of the highest number of bears hit by vehicles in the last 30 years. Slow down and pay attention to roadsides when driving!
Fascinating Bear Facts: Tool use was first documented in wild brown bear (Ursus arctos) in southeastern Alaska in 2012 when a subadult was observed using barnacle-encrusted rocks to scratch its neck.
Other Wildlife: Humans aren’t the only fall climbers in Yosemite! Ringtail cats (Bassariscus astutus) are a member of the raccoon family and have been observed “chimney stemming” while climbing cracks or similar terrain.
Please report bear incidents and sightings: