Bears are once again active in Sitka, and bear footprints have been reported in Sitka National Historical Park. In anticipation of the bears’ return park staff have worked on a new bear plan intended to better and more consistently advise people on park trails of recent bear activity.
This summer you will see signs at park trailheads that use an escalating color code (green-amber-red) to caution you about bear activity. If you do not see a sign, that means no bear observations have been reported recently.
* Green signs mean bears have been in the area (overnight use, recent scat or tracks).
* Amber signs mean bears are periodically using limited areas near the river. Nearby trails that have been closed will be clearly signed.
* Red signs mean bears are consistently present throughout the park during open hours. Risk of an encounter is high. All trails are closed and clearly signed.
You can help park staff by reporting all bear observations in the park. This can be done by calling in the new bear hotline (907-747-0145), reporting your observation at the visitor center, or telling any park ranger. Please include the date, time, and location of the bear sighting and a quick description of the bear and what it was doing.
The area near Kaasdahéen (Indian River) is bear habitat. Bears are a part of our surroundings and the natural ecosystem at Sitka National Historical Park. Use the new bear activity signs as a guide to inform your decision about whether or not to use a trail. Realize that bears could be present at unexpected times. We hope you will join us in respecting the awesomeness, power, and laws of nature that govern bear behavior, and please be bear aware.
For suggestions on how to behave when a bear is nearby, visit www.nps.gov/sitk/learn/nature/mammals.htm.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
