In Yellowstone Park, free walks will be restricted due to grizzly bears
The famous Yellowstone National Park in America is establishing a new Bear Management Area (BMA) in the Hayden Valley, aimed at safeguarding bears and enhancing visitor safety.
It is highlighted that the new regulations prohibit off-trail travel from July 15 to September. Additionally, the park has closed down the existing BMA in the Firehole River area, as per CowboyState.
The park is reportedly introducing a new 16,453-acre BMA in Hayden Valley, situated on the west side of Grand Loup Road. According to the published plans, certain types of recreation may be restricted in these areas at certain times of the year to minimize encounters between bears and people.
Experts state that Hayden Valley provides optimal habitat for grizzly bears, particularly during the summer. Park biologists have witnessed up to 23 grizzlies scavenging on a single bison carcass. Since 1970, eight of the last ten grizzly bear injuries (resulting in fatalities) in the Hayden Valley have occurred in the area designated as the Hayden Valley BMA.
Furthermore, to offer recreational opportunities, the park has decommissioned the 20,670-acre Firehole BMA, situated in the western portion of the park, due to reduced ungulate carcasses and wildlife conflicts in the area. Following the decommissioning of the Firehole BMA, the public will have access to the Midway Geyser Basin Overlook, Fairy Falls, and Mystic Falls trails, which were previously closed.
First grizzly sighting in 2024
As early as March, visitors skiing the Specimen Ridge trail in the north-central part of the park spotted the first grizzly bear of 2024. Male grizzlies emerge from hibernation in early March, while females with cubs emerge in April to early May. Upon emerging from hibernation, bears search for food and often consume elk and bison carcasses from the winter.
Tourists are reminded that the entire Yellowstone National Park is bear country, necessitating precautions to safeguard both people and bears. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Be prepared for a bear encounter by carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it, and ensuring it is easily accessible.
Hike or ski in groups of three or more people, stick to groomed trails, and minimize noise. Avoid hiking during dusk, dawn, or nighttime.
Do not run if you encounter a bear.
Maintain a distance of 90 meters from black bears and grizzly bears; approaching bears closer is prohibited. Use binoculars, a telescope, or a telephoto lens to observe bears.
Store food, trash, barbecue grills, and other attractants in vehicles or bear-proof food storage containers.
Promptly report bear sightings and encounters to park rangers.
Meanwhile, in Slovakia, a wild bear injures people. TravelWise wrote about what is happening on the streets of the city.
