{"id":11505,"date":"2017-03-15T18:06:45","date_gmt":"2017-03-16T00:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yellowstonegate.com\/?p=11505"},"modified":"2017-03-15T18:12:44","modified_gmt":"2017-03-16T00:12:44","slug":"first-grizzly-bears-of-spring-spotted-in-yellowstone-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yellowstonegate.com\/?p=11505","title":{"rendered":"First grizzly bears of spring spotted in Yellowstone National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Spring is officially a few days away, but after a bearish winter, the first grizzly of the season has been spotted in Yellowstone National Park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Early Wednesday morning, March 15, a park employee observed a grizzly bear between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u00a0is the first confirmed bear sighting this year, although bear tracks have been observed since February 22. Later in the morning, park staff saw two more grizzly bears scavenging carcasses in the northern part of the park. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When bears emerge from hibernation they look for food and often feed on elk, bison and other animals that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively while feeding on carcasses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All of Yellowstone National Park and much of the surrounding area is bear country. Park officials advise the public to stay safe in bear country by following these guidelines:<\/span><\/p>\n