Yellowstone Bears Are Hungry

Yellowstone bears are certainly going to be hungry this fall, which ultimately means added dangers when it comes to confronting humans in a year that is already proving to be the area’s deadliest on record.

Scientists have reported that a favorite food of countless bears, nuts that comes from whitebark pine cones, has been scarce. As the bears find others ways to put on weight to ready themselves for the long winter months ahead, scientists are saying, that they will be searching for another source of protein, meat, which consequently means running into humans along the way.

Wildlife managers have already been issuing reports saying bears have been seen coming down the mountains and into areas that are populated by hikers, berry pickers and hunters. The warning that the wildlife managers are telling people is to pack their bear spray.

So far two people have been killed by grizzly bears this year in Montana and Wyoming. Experts have reported that is the most in one year in a century for the region of Yellowstone. The bears involved in those fatalities were later killed.

Fully grown Yellowstone bears can stand as tall as 6 feet, while also weighing a colossal 600 pounds. These bears have been known in the past to tear off a man’s face with one swipe of their clawed paws.

However, it’s not just humans who are at risk.

Yellowstone bears recently saw themselves back on the threatened species list by a federal judge after the decline in the whitebark pine.

Beetles are apparently the cause of their decline. These beetles are surviving winters in bigger numbers as a result of less frequent freezing temperatures, and have taken it upon themselves to destroy the high altitude trees. In some areas, over 70 percent of the trees have been destroyed.

Not only are the bears starving, but the loss of their whitebark is also driving them into increased confrontations with humans. With each new year it continues to be bad for the whitebark pine, which means more conflicts are expected.

And yet, two fatal killings that came too early in the year where not the result of whitebark pine. Bears don’t generally eat the pine nuts until mid-August.

However the attacks highlighted the dangers of the region which is home to around 580 bears, and which sees over 3 million visiting each year. The maulings that took place should serve as a reminder to hikers that bears are beginning to push their way to lower elevations. For bears to last through the winter months they will need to gain an average of 50 pounds in the next few months.

One thing’s for sure, before deciding to hike in an area that is known to have bears roaming, don’t forget to pack your bear spray.