Bear Activity Summary: While the number of incidents are down 91% from this time in 1998 (the highest incident year), they are up 26% from this time last year, and up 286% from the lowest incident year (2019). Yosemite black bears were reported to have obtained human food fourteen times in the last two weeks. Many bears obtained human food from improperly latched or left open food lockers in Yosemite Valley campgrounds and hotel areas. A bear ate a birthday cake from a food locker that was not latched correctly in Curry Village. An adult female bear and her two young cubs ate human food left in their tent from someone illegally camping in Cooks Meadow. Two bears also got food from backpacks that were left outside of food lockers at night.
Nearly all of these incidents could have been prevented if park visitors had followed Yosemite’s food storage regulations. Food, bear attractants (anything with a scent or calories), and garbage are required to be within arm’s reach of an awake person at all times or stored inside an appropriate container—a park allowed portable food storage container, a park provided food locker, a bear resistant trashcan/dumpster, or a hard-sided structure. Campers and other overnight guests should always check over their campsite and vehicles before going to bed. However, bears are active both day and night and bears also got food recently from people who walked away from their food to “quickly” use the restroom, or brush their teeth. Bears that eat human food live shorter and less wild lives.
Red Bear, Dead Bear: Six bears have been hit by vehicles so far this year.
Other Wildlife: Yosemite is home to the federally threatened California spotted owl.
Please report bear incidents and sightings: Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or e-mail yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.