Vehicle collisions with bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are up this year. A total of eight grizzlies have been hit by cars in 2016, more than records from 2012 through 2015 combined.
Most recently, a 260 pound grizzly bear was killed on Highway 89 in Grand Teton National Park.
The National Park Service received a call Sunday that a driver had seen the carcass on the side of the road. Park Rangers found the vehicle involved in the crash a mile up the road, and did not cite the driver.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours, when it was still dark. Denise Germann, a spokeswoman for Grand Teton National Park, recommends that motorists pay special attention to speed limits, and enjoy the opportunity to view animals near the road.
“We have wildlife vehicle collisions on a regular basis throughout the park,” Germann said, “and we try to remind folks to slow down. That’s probably the best message, just to slow down.”
In Grand Teton National Park at least three black bears and two grizzlies were killed in vehicle collisions this year.
