{"id":11742,"date":"2021-03-16T14:51:14","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T20:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yellowstonegate.com\/?p=11742"},"modified":"2021-03-16T14:51:14","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T20:51:14","slug":"bears-leaving-hibernation-around-yellowstone-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yellowstonegate.com\/?p=11742","title":{"rendered":"Bears leaving hibernation around Yellowstone area"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park digs for tubers in a file photo taken near the park’s East Gate. (Photo by Ruffin Prevost)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY \u2013\u00a0On Saturday, March 13<\/span>, a pilot supporting park wildlife studies\u00a0spotted the first grizzly leaving hibernation this year. From the air, the pilot watched the bear interact with wolves at a carcass in the northern part of the park.\u00a0Though this is the first sighting of a grizzly bear in the park this year,\u00a0 tracks have been seen on several occasions in the last two weeks.<\/p>\n

The first bear sighting of 2020 occurred on\u00a0March 7, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively while feeding on carcasses.<\/p>\n

All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. Park officials advise that you protect yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy by following these guidelines:<\/p>\n