Bears: Smart, Motivated, Relentless

American black bears in the Sierra Nevada belong to a healthy and expanding population that fluctuates depending on the seasonal availability of food sources. A majority of bears in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are found in the 3,000-7,000 foot elevation range where an abundance of habitat types support their dietary needs. Black bears were not historically encountered at elevations above 6,500 feet or in the southern reaches of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, although their occurrence at higher elevations and in all drainages of the Sierra range have been increasingly documented in the past several decades. (Learn more about black bear biology by following this link.) A growing challenge for bear-human coexistence has been created by an increasing annual visitation to the Sierra Nevada region, loss of suitable bear habitat in the lower elevations, and the long-lasting effects of human carelessness with food storage and garbage disposal.

While a vast majority of the Sierra black bear population lives an entire 10-30 year lifespan without coming into contact with humans, others are not so fortunate. Some black bears in the Sierra Nevada have learned to capitalize on opportunities to dine on unprotected garbage sources or food that has been left unsecured. These bears, unfortunately, are at risk of being killed by hunters, park, forest, or state biologists, poachers, and motor vehicles.

In recognition that black bears and bear-human conflicts are both expanding in range and severity, national parks and forests in the Sierra have formed a cooperative workgroup to the tackle bear-human issues. The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group meets annually to discuss trends in black bear activity and to form policy amendments to try and protect both bears and those who encounter bears while enjoying the Sierras.