Yellowstone Awakens, Along With Hungry Bears

Ah, springtime in Yellowstone National Park, when a park official’s thoughts turn to roads opening for the first time since fall.

It’s also the time when bears begin to wake from several months in hibernation, and officials want to make sure visitors know enough to be able to avoid the hungry animals.

“Visitors are asked to be especially cautious by being aware of wildlife carcasses that may attract bears and to take the necessary precautions to avoid an encounter,” park Superintendent Mike Finley said in a release. “Do not approach a bear under any circumstances. An encounter with a bear feeding on a carcass increases the risk of personal injury. Bears will aggressively defend a food source, especially when surprised.”

In a separate release, Finley said the first of the park’s winter-closed roads was to open Friday morning. The road from Mammoth to Norris was to open to bicycles only.