Grand Teton National Park is a landscape of breathtaking beauty, featuring stunning lakes, rushing rivers, alpine vistas, and sweeping valleys among the peaks of the Teton Range. Communities have thrived in the Jackson Hole valley for over 11,000 years, living alongside a robust population of wildlife.
he park is home to a wide variety of mammals, from tiny chipmunks to the massive American bison, North America’s largest land mammal. However it’s the park’s grizzly bears that tend draw the most attention. Grizzlies in the area are opportunistic omnivores, eating a wide range of foods in competition with the park’s other predators.
Coyotes are widespread throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (which includes Grand Teton National Park). It’s pretty rare to see a coyote directly confront any bear, though they are bold, opportunistic hunters and have been known to pester or pursue larger prey when the opportunity arises.
In one dramatic encounter captured on video, grizzly bear #610 appears to spar with coyotes over both food and territory. Although no animals seem seriously hurt one particularly daring coyote manages to nip the grizzly on the backside.
Both grizzly bears and coyotes are remarkable animals to observe in Grand Teton National Park, but it’s essential for visitors to keep a safe distance and respect their space to help keep wildlife wild. Always stay at least 100 yards away from bears and carry bear spray in an easily accessible location and know how to use it. Learn more about staying safe around bears in Grand Teton National Park below.
Grand Teton National Park Bear Encounter Safety:
If you encounter a bear:
- DO NOT RUN. Bears can easily out run any human. Running may elicit attacks from non-aggressive bears.
- If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly.
- If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back slowly away while talking in an even tone or not at all.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Do not drop your pack – this teaches bears how to obtain human food. Your pack can also protect your body in the case of an attack.
- Do not climb trees – all black bears and some grizzly bears can also climb trees.
The vast majority of bear attacks have occurred when people surprised a bear. In this situation the bear may attack as a defensive maneuver. The bear may be protecting young or defending a carcass.
If a bear charges you:
- DO NOT RUN. Some bears will bluff their way out of a threatening situation by charging, then veering off or stopping suddenly.
- Bear experts generally recommend standing still until the bear stops and then slowly back away.
- If you have bear spray this is the time to use it!
- If the bear makes contact with you, drop to the ground and lie flat on your stomach with your legs spread apart slightly and play dead. Cover the back of your neck with your hands. Keep your pack on to protect your back. Do not move until you are certain the bear has left.
In rare cases, bears have attacked at night or after stalking people. These attacks are very serious: it may mean the bear sees you as prey. If you are attacked at night or if you feel you have been stalked and attacked as prey, fight back. Use your bear spray, shout, and try to intimidate the bear with a stick or rock. In this type of situation, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey.
