According to an Associated Press report, Yellowstone National Park officials have recorded their first grizzly bear sighting of 2019 as bears begin to come out of hibernation.
The Park Service reported that visitors spotted a large grizzly between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge last Friday. Tracks were also seen near Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction on Monday. Early-t0-mid March is typically the time frame in which bears begin appearing.
Usually, males emerge out of hibernation first, and females with cubs come out in April or May.
Bears often look to feed on elk or bison that died over the winter as they first come out of hibernation. Occasionally, bears will react aggressively while feeding.