Yosemite / Mariposa Tourism Bureau

People from around the world thrill at seeing wildlife roaming in Yosemite. Many of the fondest memories and stories people take home with them revolve around these positive nature experiences. To protect the wildlife, yourself and your property, please follow the regulations below. Your cooperation will keep the thrill in the viewing and the wild in the wildlife. Due to the large number of visitors, many animals in Yosemite become used to human activity. Despite this misleading appearance of tameness, wildlife truly is wild.

Do not feed or approach animals.

Enjoy them from a safe distance and allow them to find their own natural sources of food. "Cute" deer, when they feel threatened, can become quite aggressive and run over people, especially small children. Coyotes, which unfortunately some visitors feed like pet dogs, are fierce predators. Squirrels, which admittedly are close to irresistable when they sit up and beg, become annoying pests when encouraged (plus they can get too lazy to forage on their own, and end up starving).

The most well known wildlife problem in the Park involves bears.

Driven by their powerful sense of smell, black bears are drawn to human food. Once they get it, they continue to seek it out -- from backpacks, picnic tables, ice chests and cars. As their natural fear of people fades, they can become more aggressive. Unfortunately, some individual bears have become too aggressive and insistent on returning to parking lots or camp grounds, and have had to be killed. This is not a bear problem, it is a people problem. Storing food properly and following other rules will prevent property damage and the need to get rid of the occasional problem bear.

Do not leave food or related items in your car, even during the day.

The trunk and the glove compartment are no more hidden from a bear's sense of smell than the car's interior. This includes ice chests, back packs, grocery bags, soda cans, etc. which bears recognize. Even when empty, these items can have residual odors, as can child car seats. Remove all garbage and residual food messes such as stray french fries or candy wrappers. Also remove scented items such as toothpaste, suntan oil, insect repellent and cosmetics.

Bears can and do rip open doors and trunk lids,there is no bear proof vehicle. Food and food containers must be stored in bear proof storage boxes provided at campsites and most parking spaces. Keep storage boxes latched and secured at all times. Dispose of garbage promptly. If you are eating, don't wander away from your campsite while leaving the food exposed. Bears will intrude even during daylight.

If you are staying in hard-sided cabins, you may store food indoors. If you are staying in canvas tent-cabins, you must use the bear lockers. If you are backpacking, use bear cannisters. For complete information, please see the NPS website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/bears/