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It’s that time of year. The first grizzly bear to emerge from hibernation at Yellowstone National Park this year has been spotted, park officials said.
A wildlife biologist observed the adult grizzly – estimated at 300 to 350 pounds – during a radio telemetry flight, according to a National Park Service news release.
The bear, which was not photographed, was seen near bison carcass remains in Yellowstone’s Pelican Valley in the central-eastern area of the park.
Yellowstone’s first bear sighting of 2022 occurred on the exact day as this year’s sighting, March 7.
According to the National Park Service, male grizzly bears come out of hibernation in early March – which suggests the grizzly spotted Tuesday was a male. Female bears usually emerge with cubs in April or early May.
Though bear attacks are rare, park officials warned visitors to be especially cautious.
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“When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter,” the park service wrote in Tuesday’s release. “Sometimes, bears will react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.”
The park service also noted that “all of Yellowstone National Park is bear country.”
Among guidance for bear safety, park officials instruct visitors to stay at least 100 yards away from the animals, never feed them, don’t run upon encounters, report sightings to park rangers, stay alert and learn about carrying bear spray.
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“Spring visitors skiing, snowshoeing or hiking in Yellowstone National Park are reminded to carry bear spray and be especially alert for bears near carcasses and areas with early spring green-up,” Kerry Gunther, the park’s bear management biologist, said Tuesday. “These are the first foods sought out by grizzlies after emerging from hibernations.”
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