Tag: grizzly bears

Weary Yellowstone bear shown ‘tucking self in’ for hibernation

Footage shows a very sleepy black bear gathering extra bedding material before resuming its long winter nap.

The Yellowstone Safari Company on Saturday shared heartwarming footage showing a sleepy black bear gathering material just outside its den before resuming its long winter nap.

“Have you ever seen a bear tuck themself in for their winter hibernation?” guide Grant T. Johnson asked via Instagram. (Footage posted below.)

Johnson explained that his group was “very lucky” to have encountered the bear Friday as it emerged to seek extra insulation material in the form of twigs and other debris.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDE-_BCp3Yn/

The guide explained: “Bears aren’t true hibernators, in the most technical sense of the term, but rather enter a state of torpor, or extreme inactivity, in the winter. Still, it’s unusual to see them emerge from their dens at all once they tuck in during autumn.

“Sleep well, little buddy, and we’ll see you in the spring.”

According to Yellowstone National Park, most bears have entered their dens by mid-November, “although some males remain active through December before hibernating.”

Bears in the Greater Yellowstone area typically begin to emerge from their dens in early February, and most bears have left their dens by early May.

Male bears tend to abandon their dens much earlier than female bears with cubs.

Can you spot Yellowstone grizzly bear family on the move?

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view – if you can spot them.

–Editor’s note:  A version of this post was first published in June 2024, after the author’s annual spring trip to Yellowstone National Park.

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view because it requires a keen eye and the animals are in more of a natural setting.

Can you spot the momma grizzly bear and her three cubs in the image I captured in late May, from a hillside opposite the Lamar Valley? (Answer at the bottom of the post.)

Can you spot the grizzly bear and three cubs? Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The bears had been grazing on both sides of the highway and creating sporadic traffic jams, or “bear jams,” whenever they were been visible.

MORE OUTDOORS: Mystery animal near Yellowstone likely one of area’s rarest creatures

Momma bear was with first-year cubs, or cubs of the year, born during the winter hibernation period. The curious little ones did not stray far from mom while I watched from a distance of 100-plus yards.

Same grizzly bears in different image. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

During this sighting the bears ascended a hillside opposite the valley after being run off by a bison herd in a meadow surrounded by sagebrush.

(Momma bear was so preoccupied with foraging, with her head down, that she did not seem to notice how closely she was leading her cubs to several bison and their newborn calves.)

The bears were too far for me to capture a detailed image with my 400-millimeter lens, but I’ve attached a cropped version of a different image from the same sighting that shows the bears in more detail.

The bears in the top images used for the quiz are circled below.

Grizzly bear family circled in red. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

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Watch: Incredibly fat grizzly bear beyond ready for hibernation

Footage from Canada’s Yukon Territory shows an extremely plump grizzly bear that seems beyond ready for hibernation.

A trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory has captured footage featuring an extremely plump grizzly bear that seems beyond ready for hibernation.

“This rotund grizzly sure knows how to prep for the big sleep that awaits,” David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams stated this week via Facebook, in reference to the impending hibernation season. “While not the biggest grizzly I’ve captured on camera, definitely the fattest, which is meant in the most admirable of ways.”

Troup’s footage (posted below) shows the massive bruin strolling past the  motion-sensor camera with sleepy eyes that almost seem closed. (Please click here if video player doesn’t appear.)

https://www.facebook.com/yukonwildlifecams/videos/1200441621186859

Understandably, Troup’s followers were impressed enough to chime in.

One suggested that the bear is pregnant, to which Troup replied, “Nope, just fat.”

Another remarked that the bear could have been a contender in the annual Fat Bear Week competition that features coastal brown bears of the Brooks River in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.

Another comment: “Great footage, you can see he/she is very content, even looking happy.”

Troup’s reply: “It looks like its eyes are even closed as it walks along.”

The top comment refers to lyrics in the 1978 song by Queen, “Fat Bottomed Girls.” The revised verse: “Fat bottom bears they make this rocking world go round.”

‘Cautious eyes’ focus on grizzly bear family in Yukon meadow

Momma grizzly bear and two large cubs have a wary audience in wild horses that appear ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

A trail camera in Canada’s Yukon Territory has captured an interesting scene involving a momma grizzly bear and two cubs being watched intently by wild horses.

“A beautiful grizzly family strolls along on a recent autumn morning as cautious eyes watch from afar,” David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams described Thursday via Facebook.

Viewers will note that the horses appear frozen into the landscape; they’re that wary of the bears and making a move that might prompt a predatory charge. (Click here if a video player does not appear below.)

https://www.facebook.com/yukonwildlifecams/videos/839394361509756

Troup told FTW Outdoors that his camera captured this scene Sept. 15 and added that he was not aware of grizzly bear predation involving this group of horses.

Grizzly bears will sometimes chase horses in the hope of catching a tired foal or causing a large horse to fall.

The scene captured by Troup’s camera is reminiscent of a dramatic scene captured by a trail-cam network in 2022 in Alberta, Canada, involving grizzly bears chasing horses that were clearly running for their lives.

Regarding that scene, the Help Alberta Wildies Society stated on Facebook: “The next time someone tells you that the Wild Horses have no natural predators, send them to me.

“We are losing a lot of horses this year, sooner and quicker than in past years. Not just the foals. Adults also.”

Watch: ‘Drama’ in Yellowstone as grizzly bears brawl over carcass

A guide has captured an “incredible scene” involving two male grizzly bears fighting near a dead bison in Yellowstone National Park.

A guide has captured an “incredible scene” involving two male grizzly bears fighting over a bison carcass in Yellowstone National Park.

“Drama at the dinner table!” Yellowstone Wolf Tracker exclaimed Thursday via Instagram, adding that a lone wolf closely witnessed the brawl. “907F, of the Junction Butte Pack, looks on as two male grizzly bears fight over the remains of a deceased bison.”

The accompanying footage shows the bears shoving and swiping at each other, exchanging surprisingly swift blows as the wolf remains close to the carcass.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_1eu4CyMTk/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D&img_index=2

The footage is in three parts on the swipe-through Instagram post. The second and third frames show a more peaceful coexistence between all three animals.

The footage was captured through a spotting scope last week by Yellowstone Wolf Tracker guide Luke Jensen.

According to Yellowstone National Park, 150 to 200 grizzly bears live within park boundaries, while an estimated 965 grizzly bears inhabit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and northwest Montana.

Grizzly bears and wolves rarely interact with each other except when potential food is involved.

Can you spot the Yellowstone grizzly bear family?

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view because it requires a keen eye.

–Editor’s note: A similar version of this post was published June 1, 2024. 

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view because it requires a keen eye and the bears are in more of a natural setting.

Can you spot the momma grizzly bear and her three cubs in the image I captured in late May from a hillside above the Lamar Valley highway? (Answer at the bottom.)

Can you spot the grizzly bear family? Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The bear family had been grazing on both sides of the highway, creating substantial traffic jams, or “bear jams.”

Momma bear is raising three first-year cubs, or cubs of the year, and the “COYS” were never far from mom while I watched them.

During this sighting the bears ascended the hillside opposite the valley after being run off by a bison herd in a meadow surrounded by sagebrush.

Cropped image of grizzly bear family on hillside. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

They were too far for me to capture a detailed image, but immediately above is a cropped version of a different image from the same sighting that shows the bears in more detail.

The bears in the “quiz” images atop this post are circled below.

Grizzly bear family in the Yellowstone wilderness. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Can you spot the Yellowstone grizzly bear and her three cubs?

In Yellowstone National Park, distant grizzly bear sightings can be as satisfying as up-close sightings, but you sometimes need a keen eye to see them.

In Yellowstone National Park, a distant view of grizzly bears can be as satisfying as an up-close roadside view because it requires a keen eye and the bears are in more of a natural setting.

Can you spot the momma grizzly bear and her three cubs in the image I captured this week from a hillside above the Lamar Valley highway? (Answer below.)

Can you spot the grizzly bears? Photo: ©Pete Thomas

These bears have been grazing on both sides of the highway and creating substantial traffic jams, or “bear jams,” whenever they’ve been visible.

Momma bear is raising three first-year cubs, or cubs of the year, and the tiny “COYS” were never far from her side while I observed them.

Grizzly bear family on Yellowstone hillside. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

During this sighting the bears were ascending the hillside opposite the valley after being run off by a bison herd in a meadow surrounded by sagebrush.

They were too far for me to capture a detailed image with my 400-millimeter lens but I’ve attached a cropped version of a different image from the same sighting that shows the bears in more detail.

The bears are circled in the image posted below.

Grizzly bear family in the Yellowstone wilderness. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Yellowstone tourists crowd grizzly bears in ‘what-not-to-do’ moment

Footage shows one photographer standing just yards from a momma bear with cubs in clear violation of the park guidelines.

A guide in Yellowstone National Park on Monday documented “a prime example of what not to do” as a grizzly bear family crossed a highway lined with tourists.

Andrea Baratte, who captured the accompanying footage, referred mostly to the photographer with the tripod, just yards from momma grizzly as she tried to lead her yearling cubs across the road.

“As much as visitors enjoy seeing grizzly bears in Yellowstone, this is a prime of example on what not to do,” Baratte, who guides for Yellowstone Adventure Tours, explained via Instagram. “This bear with her cubs has been feeding for the last 10 days on a drowned bison and the location is no secret, hence all the people.

“You need to keep at least 100 yards, otherwise stay in your car. The photographer in the street refused to leave the area even after letting him know multiple times in advance that she was going to cross the road. ”

Yellowstone guidelines mandate that tourists stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. In cases where that might not be possible, visitors should exercise enough common sense to create a safe environment for themselves and the animals.

“It was an insane day,” Baratte told For The Win Outdoors.

Photographer in blatant violation of Yellowstone’s distance guidelines.

Viewers might note the photographer down the slope, far from any vehicles, at the beginning of the footage. Had the bears attempted to pass in his direction, the situation could have turned dicey.

What also stands out is the elderly person returning to the silver truck with the bears approaching. The person, who appears to be limping, turns to snap one last photo, but smartly abandons that plan in favor of accessing the vehicle.

Thankfully, momma bear did not perceive the crowd as a major threat and calmly led her cubs back into the wilderness.

‘Never push a slower friend down’ and other tips for bear season

Grizzly bears will soon emerge from hibernation and the National Park Service has offered humorous but also serious advice on how to stay safe.

Grizzly bears will emerge from hibernation beginning this month and the National Park Service has advised hikers to exercise common sense and avoid temptation.

“If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down… even if you feel the friendship has run its course,” the NPS joked via X.

From a more serious followup tweet: “What about your other friend? Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park. While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that bears in national parks are wild and can be dangerous.”

The NPS then tweeted a link that offers tips for those who plan to enter bear country. They include carrying bear spray, hiking in groups, making noise on trails, maintaining a safe distance from bears you see, and avoiding surprise encounters by remaining on trails.

If you do come face to face with a grizzly bear, don’t run. Instead, talk calmly to the animal while remaining in place because fleeing could trigger an attack response. Also, be prepared to use the all-important bear spray.

Grizzly bear images courtesy of the National Parks Service

“Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms,” the NPS advised. “Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.”

For other NPS tips, click here. The information could keep you and your loved ones safe in the wilderness.

Trail-cam operator reveals grizzly bear ‘near encounters’

A trail-cam operator in the Yukon Territory has shared “near-encounter” footage showing grizzly bears in front of his camera on the same days as his maintenance visits.

Those who monitor trail cameras in grizzly bear country must wonder how close they might be to bears when they check their devices.

The accompanying footage, featured by David Troup of Yukon Wildlife  Cams, provides an interesting perspective of what it’s like to be the person who maintains the cameras.

In his Facebook post, Troup revealed how much time passed between grizzly bear visits to the camera site and Troup’s visits on the same days.

“On four occasions this summer I checked cameras on the same day as grizzlies visited, with an increasing trend in separation times, thankfully,” Troup stated. “The near encounters were separated by times of (hours:minutes) 2:24, 4:38, 6:56, and 7:27.”

The bears include a probable large boar at the beginning of the footage, and a sow with cubs.

Troup, who appears in front of the camera between bear appearances, cautioned anyone entering bear country to carry bear spray, make noise, and “hope the space-time continuum is on your side.”

Facebook followers thanked Troup for showcasing the Yukon Territory’s wildlife, but some expressed concern for his safety.

Troup told FTW Outdoors:

“I just responded to a comment of what my point of the post was so it’s not interpreted as me presenting myself as some ‘brave outdoorsman’ narrative.

“Everyone who spends time outdoors likely has near encounters with a variety of wildlife yet may not realize it. But with trail cams we sometimes capture those moments.”

Viewers will note that the first bear sniffs the camera before continuing its journey.

Wild animals have an acute sense of their surroundings and react to motion-sensor cameras in different ways.

Last year, one of Troup’s cameras captured footage of a “camera-shy” coyote that paused in front of and quickly bounded away from the device.

Troup explained that his cameras are well disguised, but added: “Inevitably wildlife can detect peculiarities in their environment, whether it’s by sight, sound or smell.”