Shutterstock

CASPER, Wyo. — With some black bears in Yellowstone National Park becoming “habituated” after acquiring human food, park officials are urging people to stay away from the animals and to store food and other items properly.

“The park has killed two habituated black bears this year and is trying to capture a third,” park officials said in a Thursday, July 25 release. “All three bears exhibited bold behaviors, showed no fear around people, and have demonstrated food-conditioned behavior.”

People should keep a distance of at least 100 yards if they encounter bears in the park. Food and scented items also need to be stored properly so that bears can not access it.

Article continues below...

“Last month, at a backcountry campsite along Little Cottonwood Creek, a black bear bit into an occupied tent and bruised a woman’s thigh (the bite did not break the skin due to the tent fabric and thick sleeping bag),” the release states.

“Rangers suspect that this might have been a bear that gained access to human food in this same area in previous years. Over subsequent days, rangers set up cameras and a decoy tent at the campsite to determine if the bear would continue this behavior. With rangers present, the bear returned and aggressively tore up the decoy tent. The bear was killed on-site on June 11.”

Another incident took place in early July at a Lamar River Trail backcountry campsite.

“Campers left food unattended while packing up gear allowing a black bear to eat approximately 10 pounds of human food,” the release says. “Campers who visited the same campsite the following evening had numerous encounters with the same bear. Their attempts to haze the bear away failed. Rangers relocated multiple campers from the area and the bear was killed on July 10. The incident is still under investigation.”

The third bear which officials are attempting to capture has caused property damage.



“Since July 18, at the frontcountry Indian Creek Campground, a black bear has caused property damage to tents and vehicles in its search for human food,” Yellowstone officials wrote. “Park staff actively hazed the bear from the campground, but also set up cameras. If the bear returns, managers will take appropriate actions based on the current circumstances, including additional hazing or removal.”

When bears get access to human food, they can become increasingly aggressive.



“These incidents serve as unfortunate reminders that human carelessness doesn’t just endanger people; it can also result in a bear’s death,” the release states. “Allowing bears to obtain human food even once often leads to them becoming aggressive toward people. All of us play a role in keeping both bears and people safe. Learn more about what you can do at go.nps.gov/yellbearsafety.”

There are several reasons park officials may resort to killing bears rather than relocating them.



“Yellowstone National Park does not typically relocate bears for three reasons: 1) there are no areas in the park to move the bear where it wouldn’t have the continued opportunity to potentially injure someone and damage property, 2) surrounding states do not want food-conditioned bears relocated into their jurisdictions, and 3) adult bears have large home ranges, good memories, and could easily return to the original area,” the release explains.