YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyoming – Yellowstone National Park‘s most famous attractions are the stunning landscapes and bountiful hydrothermal wonders, but the park’s incredible wildlife is just as popular. Unfortunately people seem to forget that the animals are wild and should be treated as such, behaving poorly around dangerous creatures like we see in the video below.
Yellowstone is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. There are far more black bears throughout the park, classified by the park as simply “common”, but the grizzly bears tend to attract a lot more attention. With around 150–200 grizzlies with home ranges wholly or partially in the park and an estimated 1,030 in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, spotting one while simply driving along the road is actually a fairly frequent occurrence.
As bear appearances close to the road are so common, they’ve sparked their own term: “bear jams”. Bear jams are traffic jams started because park visitors spot a grizzly or other wildlife by the road, often featuring people illegally pulling to the side, parking their cars, and getting out in areas where it’s not safe. The video below perfectly demonstrates this poor, and often forbidden, behavior.
Traffic-related accidents are the most common cause of injury and death in Yellowstone, with visitors getting distracted by the scenery and nearby wildlife. If you want to stop for a moment while driving through the park, use pullouts and make sure your car is completely off the road and out of traffic. If you do encounter a wildlife jam, stay with your car. It’s pretty clear that there were cars parked dangerously in this video, hindering traffic, but that’s not the worst part of the situation.
Bears, and all wildlife, need plenty of space at all times. Yellowstone requires that bears, wolves, and cougars be given at least 100 yards, or 300 feet, of space at all times. That’s the length of about 8 standard busses. The people taking pictures of this grizzly are clearly far closer than 100 yards and should have stayed inside their car throughout the encounter. Read more on bear encounter safety in Yellowstone National Park below.
Yellowstone National Park Grizzly Bear Encounter Guidelines:
Know what to do if you encounter a bear
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.
Surprise Encounters
Although surprise encounters do happen, it is your responsibility to maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times. If you do have a close encounter with a bear, keep your group together and slowly back away. Do not run or make sudden movements. Draw your bear spray from the holster, remove the safety tab, and prepare to use it if the bear charges.
Charging Bears
If a bear charges, stand your ground, and deploy your bear spray when the bear is 60 feet (18 meters) away or less. If the bear leaves, immediately leave the area. Walk, don’t run.
If the bear makes contact, drop to the ground on your stomach and “play dead.” Keep your pack on to protect your back and hold onto your bear spray. Clasp your hands over the back of your neck with your elbows protecting the sides of your face. Remain still and quiet to convince the bear you are not a threat. After the bear leaves, wait several minutes before moving. Listen to make sure the bear has left the area, then immediately leave the area. Walk, don’t run.
Curious or Predatory Bears
Unlike defensive bear charges, a curious or predatory bear may slowly but persistently approach. If you’re approached by a curious or predatory bear, grab your stuff, especially food, and move to the safety of a car or building. Walk, don’t run.
If retreating is not an option, group up with other people and yell at the bear. Deploy your bear spray when the bear is 60 feet (18 meters) away or less. If the bear leaves, immediately leave the area. Walk, don’t run. If you’re attacked by a curious or predatory bear, fight back as if your life depends on it, because it does. Use any weapon you can find, like rocks and sticks. Predatory attacks usually persist until the bear is scared away, overpowered, injured, or killed.
Honk if a bear approaches your car
If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away. Report this behavior as soon as you’re able to. We want to discourage this behavior for the bears’ safety and yours.
