Yosemite Bear Sightings Have Quadrupled Since Coronavirus Closure

The general human public still isn’t allowed in Yosemite National Park and it seems like the animals are loving it. Park rangers have been quick to post their sightings of wildlife roaming around the wilderness at will, a rare sight for the park that sees 4-5 million visitors a year.
Not only has the park’s vast wildlife enjoyed the empty roads and usually bustling public spaces, bear sightings have quadrupled in the area, according to a park ranger.
“It’s not like they aren’t usually here,†said the staffer to the Los Angeles Times, “it’s that they usually hang back at the edges or move in the shadows.â€

As the bears have awoken from their typical winter hibernation, they are finding free reign in the 750,000 acres park.
“There can be literally walls of cars, stop-and-go traffic or people in the park,†said bear biologist Ranger Katie on a Facebook livestream on Sunday. “Now that there are no people, the bears are literally just walking down the road to get to where they need to go, which is kind of cool to see.â€
Park rangers took to social media to show the lively bear activity since the Coronavirus closure took hold in March:
While us humans hope the Coronavirus closures don’t last much longer, it’s nice to see the wildlife enjoying the break. Can you imagine having the entire 750,000 acre park to yourself?!