JACKSON, Wyo. — Local, statewide and federal wildlife agencies issued a joint statement on Wednesday urging bear-watchers to change their behavior on Togwotee Pass following “significant bear jams and poor wildlife viewing ethics” observed this spring.
Staff of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service are patrolling the area daily in an effort to protect humans and grizzly bears from one another. Staff are hazing bears away from the roadsides intermittently, per the announcement. The professionals are urging the public to contribute to the safety efforts by following the rules of the road, by only parking in paved pullouts, and by giving mother grizzly bears abundant space.
“Many people mistakenly believe that their presence on the scene is harmless, or even helpful, thinking they are keeping an eye on the bears to help them cross the road safely, ” said Wyoming Game and Fish Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator Brian DeBolt. “In reality, every person and vehicle creates an additional safety hazard that these bears have to navigate. This added stress and distraction make the bear’s survival significantly more difficult.”
People have been observedapproaching roadside bears, encircling them, following them, blocking their paths and getting within 100 yards of them. Habituating bears to human presence and road traffic puts both humans and bears in danger. Impeding a bear’s ability to move freely, and reducing their instinct to flee, can lead to conflicts including vehicle strikes and other dangerous human-bear conflicts. Habituated bears might seek food closer and closer to developed areas.
“Wildlife managers have invested considerable time and resources to keep these bears in their natural habitats and out of trouble,” the statement reads. Intensive hazing efforts began in 2021, when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff monitored the highway from dawn to dusk for several months to discourage bears from coming within 100 yards of the road. Karelian bear dogs were introduced in expanded hazing efforts in 2022.
“Since then, efforts to keep bears away from human-occupied areas and roads have continued, but managing public behavior and traffic remains a significant challenge,” the statement continues. “If unethical viewing practices persist or if bears clash with people, wildlife managers may have to take management actions, including capture, relocation or removal.”
Agencies advise the following practices for human and bear safety:
- Never approach bears, stay inside vehicles, and always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from other wildlife.
- Do not stop a vehicle in the Togwotee Pass area to support ongoing safety efforts.
- Do not feed or make food accessible to wildlife.
- Respect all signs, laws, and regulations — including no stopping, standing, or parking on or along the highway.
- Cooperate and follow directions from law enforcement and wildlife officials.
- Slow down and be vigilant while driving. Wildlife have been killed on Togwotee Pass due to collisions with vehicles.
