Pete Thomas Outdoors

Time to be on lookout for Yellowstone grizzly bears

Spring is just around the corner, and in Yellowstone National Park that means it’s time to be on the lookout for grizzly bears.

If the past few years are an indication, the first sighting of 2022 could occur any day, despite cold temperatures in the park.

In 2019, the first known sighting occurred March 8. The bear was spotted between Canyon Village and the Fishing Bridge. Paw prints from another grizzly bear were discovered days later between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction.

In 2020, the first sighting was logged March 7 near Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin.

“Now that bears are emerging from winter dens, visitors should be excited for the chance to view and photograph them, but they should also treat bears with respect and caution,” Kerry Gunther, the park’s bear management specialist, said after the sighting was announced.

In 2021, the first sighting was logged March 13 by a pilot participating in a wildlife study over an undisclosed location. The bear was interacting with wolves that were feeding on a large animal carcass.

“When bears first emerge from hibernation, they look for carcasses at lower elevations and spring vegetation in thermal meadows and south-facing slopes for nourishment,” Gunther explained.

Male grizzly bears are typically first to emerge from hibernation, beginning in early March. Momma bears with cubs leave their dens in April and early May.

Although wintry weather might persist in and around the park for the next several weeks, visitors are urged to exercise caution.

“Hikers, skiers, and snowshoers should travel in groups of three or more, carry bear spray, and make noise,” Gunther cautioned.

According to Yellowstone National Park, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population is an estimated 728 bears. About 150 grizzly bears occupy territory inside or partially inside the park.

–Grizzly bear images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Elk injures employee at Yellowstone National Park

By Pete Thomas

A Yellowstone National Park concession employee was injured Wednesday during an encounter with a cow elk.

The female employee was hospitalized after the incident in Mammoth Hot Springs, a developed area in the northwest portion of the park.

The park, as of Thursday morning, had not released her name. Park spokeswoman Linda Veress declined to disclose the nature of the woman’s injuries.

Mammoth Hot Springs, location of park headquarters, also boasts a hotel, the Albright Visitor Center, and other buildings surrounded by verdant lawns.

Elk gather in the area seeking shelter from predators and close encounters with tourists are common. During the spring, cow elk cautiously guard their young. Last spring, two tourists were injured by elk within a week.

“This time of year folks need to stay alert,” Veress told 7KBZK. “Cow elk may charge or kick.”

The Billings Gazette reported that the animal was hazed after Wednesday’s incident so it would leave the area.

Visitors are supposed to remain at least 25 yards from elk and employees receive safety training courses as part of their orientation.

Yellowstone is a spring-summer range for up to 20,000 elk. Calves are born in May and June.

–Image showing elk in Mammoth Hot Springs is courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Yellowstone visitors cautioned as park logs first grizzly bear sighting of 2019

By Pete Thomas

Yellowstone National Park has logged its first grizzly bear sighting of 2019 in what represents a sure sign that spring is near.

The park stated in a news release issued Tuesday that the sighting of a large grizzly occurred last Friday between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge.

Paw prints from another grizzly bear were observed Monday between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction.

With more bears expected to emerge from hibernation over the next few weeks, the park is urging visitors to stay alert, carry bear spray, and hike in groups.

Park guidelines recommend maintaining a distance of at least 100 yards from grizzly bears and black bears. Sightings should be reported to park rangers.

–Image is courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Charging Yellowstone bison leaves tourists in awe; video

By Pete Thomas

Bison are enormous and might seem ungainly, but they're surprisingly fast, which is why tourists in Yellowstone National Park are cautioned to keep a safe distance.

The accompanying footage, captured by photographer Richard Peters, shows an enormous bison sprinting past the touring vehicle at top speed on a snow-covered road.

As viewers will note, the tourists were amazed by the speed of the beast as it charged within a few feet of their vehicle.

Peters, who is based in the U.K., wrote on Facebook: “Just got back from an incredible two weeks in Yellowstone, where on one particular day our Natures Images group were reminded just how fast bison can be, when they decide! Quite the close encounter!”

According to the Yellowstone website, bison have injured more tourists than any other animal. While they appear docile, and sometimes are, they’re unpredictable “and can run three times faster than humans.”

The park advises tourists to remain at least 25 yards from bison, which are often referred to as buffalo.

Bison are the largest land-dwelling mammal in North America, with the larger males weighing up to 2,000 pounds. More than 4,500 bison reside seasonally within Yellowstone boundaries.

–Top image showing bison feeding in the snow is courtesy of the National Park Service; second image is a video screen shot

Report of man shooting at Yellowstone wolves prompts investigation

By Pete Thomas

A report of shots being fired in Yellowstone National Park prompted an investigation that turned up spent shotgun shells, but not the identity of the shooter.

The investigation began Sunday after somebody reported that a man had shot at wolves as they chased his dog in the Sedge Bay area near the East Entrance Road.

According to a news release issued Wednesday, rangers searched the area and found no evidence that wolves were injured.

Investigators are hoping that somebody can identify the man. Discharging firearms in Yellowstone is illegal, and dogs must be leashed or kept in the car. Pets of any kind are not allowed on hiking trails or boardwalks.

The park asks that anyone with information about the incident telephone its tip line at 307-344-2132.

California woman gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park

By Pete Thomas

A woman was gored by a bison Wednesday at Yellowstone National Park, marking the third time a tourist has been injured by a wild animal at the park this month.

Kim Hancock, 59, of Santa Rosa in Northern California, was gored in the hip area at Fountain Point in the Lower Geyser Basin, according to a park news release issued Thursday. Hancock was rushed by ambulance to Big Sky Medical Center, where she was listed in good condition.

Park officials have launched an investigation, but state that Hancock and other tourists had approached within 10 yards of the bison while walking on the boardwalk. Visitors are reminded to maintain safe distances from all wild animals.

Earlier this month, two Yellowstone tourists were injured after being struck by elk, at a time when cow elk are protective of their calves.

Hancock is the second visitor to be injured by a bison in 2018.

The news release states:

“Animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be. Give animals space when they’re near trails, boardwalks, parking lots, or in developed areas.

“Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. If you can’t maintain these distances, turn around and find an alternate route.”

Yellowstone National Park spans 3,500 square miles of wilderness in Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho. It’s also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.

–Bison images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone visitation tops 3 million for fifth consecutive year

The natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park continues to draw visitors in record numbers, with almost 3.4 million people spending time in Yellowstone in 2011.

Last year was the fifth consecutive calendar year visitation topped the 3 million mark and the second highest annual numbers on record, bested only by the year prior when a record 3.6 million people visited the park.

In fact, the last time Yellowstone recorded fewer than 3 million annual recreational visits was 2006, with 2.87 million visits.

Overall, more than a quarter of the park's total 2011 visitation was during the month of July, with 906,934 recreational visits recorded.

December visitation was down 5% compared to year-ago levels, with 16,509 visitors recorded in 2011 compared to 17,386 during the same period in 2010.

Detailed park visitation information is available online at http://www.nature.nps.gov/stats/.

Yellowstone National Park - Annual Recreational Visitors:

Rank	Year	Visitation
1	2010	3,640,184
2	2011	3,394,321
3	2009	3,295,187
4	2007	3,151,343
5	1992	3,144,405
6	1999	3,131,381
7	1995	3,125,285
8	1998	3,120,830
9	2008	3,066,570
10	1994	3,046,145

Image of Old Faithful geyser in the winter and attendance chart courtesy of National Park Service