US EditionFirst Grizzly of the Spring Spotted Scavenging in Yellowstone
The first grizzly sighting occurred five days earlier than last year, with the bear feeding on a bull bison carcass as it emerges from hibernation in early March.
- Yellowstone National Park biologists reported the first grizzly of 2026 in the northern backcountry on March 9, 2026, officials said.
- Male grizzlies typically emerge in early March, and park officials said bears often scavenge elk and bison carcasses left from winter.
- The bear was observed scavenging on a bull bison carcass, and park media notes clarified that the published image was not of the March 9 bear.
- The park officials warned that bears feeding on carcasses can act aggressively toward people and advised visitors to carry bear spray, hike in groups, and stay 100 yards away from bears.
- Compared with prior years' first sightings, park biologists said this sighting arrived five days earlier than last year's first report on March 14.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Daily Montanan
KULR-TVFirst Yellowstone grizzly bear emerges from hibernation
Grizzly bears (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service). Biologists with Yellowstone National Park reported seeing the first grizzly bear of the spring season on Monday, according to a National Park Service press release. The griz was seen in the northern part of the park scavenging on a bull bison carcass in the backcountry. Most male grizzlies emerge from hibernation in early March, while females with cubs emerge in April and early May. Pa…
Local Lookout: Yellowstone spots first griz in 2026
First grizzly of the year spotted in Yellowstone National ParkJackson Hole DailyYellowstone National Park biologists spotted the park’s first grizzly bear of 2026 on Monday. Scientists observed the bear feeding on a bison carcass in the northern part of the park. Bears can be aggressive towards people when feeding on carcasses. The first sighting of the year comes at a typical time, the Jackson Hole Daily reports. Read the full story. Cheyenne d…
Oil City News
Cap City NewsYellowstone reports first grizzly bear sighting of season
MAMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — On Monday, Yellowstone National Park biologists reported the first grizzly bear sighting of the spring season. According to reports from the park, the bear was observed in the backcountry, scavenging on a bull bison carcass. Yellowstone biologists say that when bears emerge from hibernation, they soon begin looking for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Male grizzlies typically come out of …
The Billings Gazette
They are awake! First grizzly of the year spotted in Yellowstone dining on bison carcass
The bear was observed in the backcountry scavenging on a bull bison carcass.
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