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June 14-20, 2009
updated as often as possible
Fascinating Bear Fact
Black bears can run up to 30 miles per hour, are great swimmers, and are very comfortable in trees.
Bear Incidents
| Location |
Last week |
This year |
| Parking lots |
0 |
16 |
| Campgrounds |
4 |
59 |
| Other areas |
11 |
78 |
| Wilderness |
0 |
2 |
| Total |
15 |
155 |
In addition, there have been 15 incidents of bears obtaining food from trash cans or dumpsters.
Number of incidents last year
To date: 109
Total: 453
Total property damage this year is $10,241. So far this year, incidents are up 42% compared to the same time last year, but down 59% since 1998.
Activity Update
Bears are very active in Yosemite Valley. Curry Village has had the most bear activity this week with nine incidents. Bears have been in Upper, Lower, and North Pines nightly, often before dark. If you are camping in Yosemite, please treat your food locker like you would your refrigerator at home. Open it to get what you need, then close and latch it immediately. Stay close to any food that is out.
Bears have also been seen this week around the park at Crane Flat, White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows.
SLOW DOWN!
Eight bears have been hit by cars this year! Seventeen bears were hit by cars last year, along with an unknown number of deer, squirrels and other park animals. Slow down and save Yosemite’s wildlife.
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.
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).
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