JACKSON, Wyo. — Local and statewide wildlife agencies issued a joint press release on Friday urging bear-watchers to change their behavior on Togwotee Pass following “significant bear jams and poor wildlife viewing ethics” observed this spring.
Bear Wise Jackson Hole, a collaboration by Bridger-Teton National Forest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Teton County and the Town of Jackson, shared reminders for being responsible stewards of local wildlife.
“As a reminder: stopping, parking or standing on or along the road is illegal and poses significant risks to other motorists and grizzly bears, whose behavior can be unpredictable, particularly with offspring,” Bear Wise’s release reads.
“Please do not contribute to roadside bears becoming exceedingly habituated to human presence,” the release continues. “This could result in a bear being needlessly injured or killed, as many other bears have. A photograph is not worth risking a human’s or a bear’s life.”
Bear Wise warns that impeding a bear’s ability to move freely can lead to conflicts including vehicle strikes and other dangerous human-bear conflicts. Habituating bears to human presence and road traffic puts both humans and bears in danger.
“Traffic jams along Togwotee Pass can cause significant public safety issues,” BTNF Blackrock District Ranger Jason Wilmot said in a statement. “Bear Wise Jackson Hole and our interagency partners are calling upon the public, photographers and wildlife tour groups to lead by example. Please follow direction of staff in the area; never stop your vehicle in or along the road, except in designated, paved areas; and observe all ethical wildlife viewing and photography practices to help us keep bears wild and people safe.”
The agencies noted that their wildlife managers might resort to taking “further management actions” in the area, which in the past have included “intensive hazing,” the use of trained bear dogs, signage and increased staff monitoring.
Bear Wise recommends the following practices:
- Never approach bears. Stay in the vehicle and always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife.
- Do not stop a vehicle in the Togwotee Pass area, unless in designated, paved pull outs. This supports 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 per Wyoming Title 31 (31-5-504(a)/(i)/(J), 31-5-102(a)(vii), 31-1-101(a)(viii) and 31-5-102(a)(xl)).
- Cooperate and follow direction from law enforcement and wildlife officials.
- Slow down and be vigilant while driving. Wildlife have been killed along Togwotee Pass due to collisions with vehicles.
