Yosemite Ditches Timed Entry
Yosemite National Park eliminated its timed entry reservation system, but new road signs warn of increased bear-vehicle collisions [https://thetravel.com/yosemite-national-park-road-signs-reveal-bear-collision-deaths-as-consequence-of-eliminated-timed-entry].
The end of the reservation system, implemented in 2020, means easier access for visitors but more traffic within the park. The park saw a 5% increase in vehicle entries in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The new signs are part of a larger effort to manage human-wildlife interactions, especially concerning food. Bears that become habituated to human food are more likely to be hit by cars or euthanized. Park officials are urging visitors to store food properly and drive cautiously, especially at dawn and dusk. These are peak activity times for bears, increasing the risk of collisions.
