Respect Wildlife
Following the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, respecting wildlife includes but is not limited by:
- Observing wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feeding animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protecting wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Controlling pets at all times, or leaving them at home.
- Avoiding wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Bears
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are the most abundant and widely distributed bear; they have been recorded in all states except Hawaii. Black bears can vary in color from jet black to cinnamon to white. Bears eat a variety of plants and animals; their diets consist mainly of grasses, roots, berries, insects, and fish and animals, including dead animals. They have an acute sense of smell; they can smell a scent from miles away. Although black bears rarely kill or seriously injure people, when they do, it’s most often the result of predatory behavior by single males. Most conflicts between humans and black bears occur when bears access and become addicted to human food sources. As such, visitors must be vigilant with proper food and trash storage. Working together with visitors, permit holders and private and public entities we can help keep bears wild!
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep
Visitors entering or passing near Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep habitat should take extra care to protect these endangered animals. To learn more about the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Observe bighorn sheep from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Dogs should be on leash and under control. Pack goats should not be used in sheep habitat areas. Bighorn sheep are susceptible to diseases transmitted by domestic sheep and goats. In order to support the recovery of the bighorn sheep, pack goats should not be used in areas identified as Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep critical habitat. A previous project was implemented to identify where pack goats can be used without risking the health of the bighorn sheep.