A string of vehicle break ins committed by local black bears triggered California’s Mammoth Mountain to issue a reminder to guests not to leave anything in their parked cars that might attract bears:
Mammoth Mountain PSA:
Your car is just a lunchbox a bear can peel open. It is not a secure food storage container. These photos were all taken over the last couple of weeks in our parking lot from cars left overnight.
A bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than a human’s. They can smell things you can’t, including empty food wrappers, lip balm, and even the lingering scent in an empty cooler. To keep our bears wild and prevent this from happening, we all have to do our part.
In Your Car & Campsite:
- REMOVE ALL SCENTS: Never leave food, trash, or any possibly scented item in your car.
- USE SECURE STORAGE: For those parking overnight at the mountain, there are bear-proof containers by the “B” area parking sign. Please use them.
- STASH YOUR TRASH: Use our community’s bear-proof dumpsters and cans for all trash.
On the Trail & In Town:
- KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Never approach wildlife. If you want a closer look, use a zoom lens or binoculars. Give bears plenty of room to pass by (or leave).
- STAND TALL & LOOK BIG: Stand your ground to look large, and immediately pick up any small children to prevent them from running.
- MAKE NOISE: Make your presence known when hiking so you don’t surprise an animal.
Thank you for helping us protect our bears and our community.
RELATED: National Park Hiker Quickly Realizes Why You Don’t Approach Elk
Further Guidelines To Avoid Bear Break Ins:
Remember folks, these types of break ins are preventable in most cases if you just keep you car clean. To prevent bears from breaking into vehicles follow these guidelines:
- Never leave groceries, animal feed, or scented items in vehicles. They can open doors and may damage vehicles to access these items.
- Lock all vehicle doors and windows. They can exploit unlocked doors or partially open windows to gain entry.
- Remove all food, trash, and scented items like gum, sunscreen, or air fresheners from the vehicle. Even small items can attract bears.
- Store coolers, picnic baskets, or other food containers out of sight if they must be left in the vehicle. Use bear-resistant coolers if possible.
- Clean up food residue or spills in the vehicle to eliminate odors that attract bears.
- Avoid eating or drinking in the vehicle, as lingering odors from food or beverages like coffee can attract bears.
- Park in well-lit, busy areas when possible, as bears are less likely to approach vehicles in these locations.
- At campgrounds, use bear-resistant storage lockers or dumpsters for food and trash instead of leaving them in the vehicle..
