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A black bear mother and her two cubs cross the East Fork Quinault River
Bridgett Jamison
Black bear – Ursus americanus
The black bear is the only bear species found in Olympic National Park. They range from lowlands all the way up to subalpine regions of the mountains, inhabiting a variety of different ecosystems such as riparian areas, coastal lands, ridgetops, and forests, old and new.
Notify park staff in all instances of food loss or property damage, or any other threatening acts by bears. If you experience an encounter with a bear, such as a bear approaching you at a distance of less than 50 yards, a bear entering your campsite, or a bear that attempts to take your food report to a park ranger or fill out anonline wildlife report.
SAFTEY:
Give Bears Space! Stay at least 100 feet or about three bus lengths (~30 meters, 33 yards) from all bears. Do NOT approach bears!
Keep your kids between adults and don't let them run ahead
Keep your pets on leash and don't let them run ahead
Stay aware of your surroundings
Travel in groups and if you see a bear near the road, stay in your vehicle.
If you see a black bear:
Identify yourself by talking calmly and loudly (as in a crowded resteraunt) so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
Pick up small children immediately. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the bear to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the bear may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.
Do NOT allow the bear access to your food.Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.
Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.
Do NOT climb a tree. Black bears can climb trees.
Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
Fight back if attacked.
DIET:
These creatures have an incredibly varied diet. They often feed on tree sapwood, young tree bark, and insect mounds until berries come in season. Bears can be spotted frequently in the early fall raiding the huckleberry bushes on mountain slopes. During various salmon runs in both spring and fall, bears will feed in shallow waters where they have a relatively easy time catching salmon en route to spawn, or salmon carcasses that have done so already.
ROLE IN THE ECOSYSTEM:
As omnivores, bears eat a little bit of everything, which helps the forest stay healthy and clean. As bears graze for nuts and seeds throughout the late summer and fall, the undigested seeds are deposited in their droppings, or scat, which then fertilizes them to grow into the giants that visitors come from around the world to see. Even as these giant trees fall, bears are there to dig through the logs in search of insects inside, helping to make a new forest floor. These new berry bushes and leafy greens attract elk and deer, as well. As these animals die off, the bears will help to eat the carcasses, providing more nutrients to the soil and building the web of Olympic life!
