MARCH 15 - First grizzly sighting of year reported in Yellowstone

Powell (WNE) — The first grizzly bear sighting of 2019 was reported March 8 in Yellowstone National Park, when visitors observed a large bruin between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge.

Additionally, park officials say grizzly tracks were reportedly seen between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction on March 11.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in mid-to-late March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. In 2018, the first grizzly sighting was recorded on March 7 — just one day earlier than this year.

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, Yellowstone officials warn. They note that all of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful.

“Yellowstone visitors care deeply about the conservation of bears and observing them in the wild,” said Kerry Gunther, the park’s bear management specialist. “Reduce human-bear conflicts by preventing bears from getting food and garbage, hiking in groups of three or more people, carrying bear spray, and making noise in blind spots on the trail.”

Bear spray has proven effective in deterring bears defending cubs and food sources, Yellowstone officials say, adding that the spray can also reduce the number of bears killed by people in self-defense.

The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of elk and bison carcasses and lots of bears. Restrictions began in some bear management areas on March 10.