Black bear sightings are on the rise in Zion National Park, officials say

A black bear is spotted near the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel on the east side of the park, Zion National Park, Utah, circa 2005. Bear sightings are up this year, the park says.

A black bear is spotted near the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel on the east side of the park, Zion National Park, Utah, circa 2005. Bear sightings are up this year, the park says. (National Park Service)


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SPRINGDALE, Washington County — Signs are up in one corner of Zion National Park cautioning visitors to watch out for black bears, as sightings have reportedly increased this year.

Janice Stroud-Settles, wildlife biologist and wildlife program manager at Zion National Park, told St. George News that while the American black bear is rarely seen, sightings of them are increasing in the park.

"We did have a fair amount of sightings this year, more than we have in previous years," Stroud-Settles said. "We had a total of about seven bear sightings between May and June, and all of them were in higher elevations."

Stroud-Settles said the bears were seen along the Kolob Terrace Road, the Lava Point area and Lava Point Campground. This area is located at nearly 8,000 feet elevation in the park's northern part and the eastern plateau.

Read the entire story at St. George News.

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly stated this was near Springville, instead of Springdale.

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