Bears Done Hibernating in Yellowstone, Officials Warn Visitors

Bears in Yellowstone are no longer hibernating, so visitors to the park have been advised to take all necessary precautions.

It was reported by park officials that the first grizzly bear to emerge from hibernation was seen on Tuesday, making March 7 the first bear sighting of the season for the second year in a row.

During a radio telemetry flight, a wildlife biologist saw the bear this year. Officials estimate the grizzly's weight to be between 300 and 350 pounds based on that observation. Officials stated that the adult bear, which is probably a male because female bears and cubs typically don't emerge until April and May, was spotted close to bison carcass remnants in Pelican Valley.

It can be exciting to see the first grizzly of the year, but it also means that visitors should exercise more caution when they enter any part of the park, National Park Service reports.

When bears come out of hibernation, they search for food and frequently eat elk and bison that have died over the winter, according to NPS. When consuming carcasses, bears occasionally exhibit aggressive behavior when interacting with humans.

Warning for Park Visitors

The National Park Service issued a warning last week regarding the arrival of spring and the emergence of wildlife from hibernation. Warmer weather signals that bears will soon begin to roam the countryside once more, so people should be ready in case they come face to face with one.

Kerry Gunther, a bear management biologist for Yellowstone, said that Visitors to Yellowstone National Park in the spring are urged to carry bear spray and to exercise extra caution when snowshoeing, skiing, or hiking in areas where early spring green-up has begun. When grizzlies come out of hibernation, these are the first foods they look for.

Bears prepare for winter hibernation in late November, according to Yellowstone National Park, based on snowfall, temperature, and food availability. In Yellowstone National Park, the denning period lasts roughly five months.

In the middle to end of March, male grizzlies emerge from hibernation. Females carrying cubs first appear later, in early to mid-May. Bears may emerge from hibernation as soon as January or February after an unusually warm winter.

Bears are Now Done Hibernating

It is advised that people keep at least 100 yards away from black bears and grizzlies at all times.

There are a few steps to take if you find yourself closer to a bear than other visitors might like.

Although the NPS noted that pushing a slower person down during a bear encounter is something that people should "never" do.

The best course of action is to hike in groups, be vigilant, and stay away from bear-prone areas. Visitors to national parks are advised to carry bear spray that has been approved by the EPA and is easily accessible by the National Park Service.

Later, the service emphasized that while attacks are uncommon, they do occur.

According to the park service, two of the most crucial things for visitors to remember are to keep their distance from bears and not startle them. If they hear people coming, most bears will stay away from them. Danger may be reduced by adhering to some fundamental rules. The ability to keep a bear calm may determine a person's safety, CBS News reports.