Photo Hungry Tourists Needlessly Crowd Grizzly Bears @ Yellowstone National Park

The vast 2.2 million acre landscape of Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its diverse population of large mammals including free roaming bison and wolf packs but perhaps the most iconic animal found in Yellowstone is the grizzly bear.

Tourists hoping to get a glimpse at the majestic apex predators can often be found at dusk and dawn in places like north slopes of Mount Washburn and Hayden and Lamar Valleys where they reliably appear but sometimes opportunities pop up to see grizzlies just by driving down the road. Roadside grizzlies can create quite a commotion as cars pullover to get a better look creating traffic standstills known as “bear jams.” Yellowstone National Park has special rules to govern these impromptu the mass tourist gatherings and the most important thing to remember is to never approach bears.

Apparently these tourists were either blissfully unaware of Yellowstone’s policy of remaining at least 100 yards away from grizzlies or decided to disregard the minimal distance in an effort to get up close and personal pictures. Either way put their actions were extremely dangerous and they are lucky the bears did not decide to defend their territory.

Yellowstone National Park officials are quick to point out that the safest (and often the best) way to view wildlife is from the safety of your vehicle. Motorists are encouraged to use designated pullouts to watch wildlife and to remain with their vehicles during wildlife jams. Should visitors chose to exit their vehicles they must stay at least 100 yards away from bears at all times and should never approach a bear for a photo. Learn more about grizzly bear safety at Yellowstone National Park below.

Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety:

All of Yellowstone is bear country, from the trails in the park’s backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.

• Give bears space. Keep at least 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it. We recommend each person carry one can of bear spray in a readily accessible location like a quick-draw holster (not stowed away in your backpack).
• Hike in groups and make noise. Since 1970,91% of the people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with only one hiking partner. Only 9% of the people injured by bears were in groups of three or more people. While hiking on a trail, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears of your presence. Learn more about backcountry safety.
• Respect closures. Observe all closures and restrictions in active bear management areas.
• Never feed bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and will be killed.
• Stay with your stuff. Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes, as bears learn new food sources quickly.
• If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away. We want to discourage this behavior for the bears’ safety and yours.
• Help us spread the word! Share posters from our “A Bear Doesn’t Care” campaign.

If you’re involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, contact us or report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. If cell service is available, dial 911. The lives of other people, and the bear, may depend on it.

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• National ParksWildlife