New Bear Signs Planned

Visitors using the trails in Yellowstone National Park this summer will be greeted by new signs warning them about the risks of bear encounters and what they should do if they do find themselves facing one.  The Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee decided last week that stronger wording is one way to better grab hikers’ attention.  Spokesman Gregg Losinski says placement of those signs is another consideration.  Losinski says while there is already good information posted at trailheads, people often don’t stop to read it.  Consequently, he says part of the changes will involve placing the signs further down the trails.  He says at the same time, wording will be changed to be more startling, like “Bear Attack!” followed by tips of how to deal with an encounter.  Last summer two people were killed in the park in separate bear encounters. Neither carried bear spray. One of the victims ran when he was charged and the other was hiking alone. The new signs will be made available to all agencies throughout the greater Yellowstone ecosystem for this summer.