Grizzly bears are absolutely present in Yellowstone National Park. Formally known as the Yellowstone grizzly bear population, these large carnivores are integral to the region’s ecological balance. They act as powerful drivers of nutrient cycling and population control for other species. Their presence and recovery story are central to ongoing conservation efforts within the park and surrounding lands.
Current Population Health and Management
The population of Ursus arctos horribilis has experienced a significant rebound since conservation measures began. When the grizzly bear was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, the estimated population for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) had fallen to between 136 and 300 individuals. This low number prompted coordinated action to prevent their extinction in the contiguous United States.
Today, the population is considered a success story, having exceeded its recovery goal of 500 bears for over two decades. Current estimates place the grizzly bear population within the GYE at approximately 950 to 1,030 animals. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) monitors this successful recovery, tracking population size, distribution of females with cubs, and mortality rates.
Management is an interagency collaboration between federal and state entities across the three states encompassing the GYE. This management includes strict regulations on human activity, camping, and food storage to minimize human-bear conflicts. Despite the successful recovery, the bears remain under federal protection.
Geographical Range and Habitat
The grizzly bear range extends far beyond Yellowstone National Park’s official boundaries. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is a vast region spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, including the park and surrounding national forests. The majority of the GYE’s grizzly bears roam outside the park itself, with only about 150 to 200 bears having home ranges wholly or partially within the park’s perimeter.
Grizzly bears’ habitat use is diverse and follows seasonal food availability. In early spring, bears forage in low-elevation areas near water sources, seeking winter-killed carcasses like elk and bison. As the season progresses, females hunt elk calves in meadows and river bottoms, a high-protein source that sustains them through the summer.
Later in the summer and fall, bears move to higher elevations to feed on calorie-dense resources. These resources include whitebark pine nuts and army cutworm moths, which they consume before hibernation. While the highest density of bears resides in the core recovery area, their wide-ranging behavior means they are continuously expanding their occupied range across the entire ecosystem.
Essential Visitor Safety Guidelines
Visitors must adhere to specific safety guidelines to ensure both human and bear well-being. The single most important action is carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it immediately. Bear spray is a highly effective deterrent, proven successful in stopping aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of close-range encounters when deployed properly.
Key Safety Requirements
Proper safety protocols are mandatory to minimize human-bear conflicts:
- Hike in groups of three or more people and make noise to avoid surprising a bear. Avoid hiking during low-light periods (dawn, dusk, and night) when bears are most active.
- Be observant for signs of bear activity, including fresh tracks, scat, and areas where the soil has been dug up for foraging.
- Proper food storage is mandatory to prevent bears from becoming “food-conditioned.” All food, garbage, and scented items must be secured in bear-resistant containers or stored inside a hard-sided vehicle.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from bears and wolves. This non-negotiable rule protects both the animals and the public.