Wildlife Fatalities Program Launched In Yosemite

Yosemite National Park, CA — A program aimed at educating visitors about wildlife fatalities is being launched in Yosemite National Park.

Park officials are announcing the beginning of the pilot project Red Bear, Dead Bear, an educational program designed to inform visitors about the danger that speeding presents for wildlife in the park. Visitors may see signs with the Red Bear, Dead Bear logo along the Tioga Road.

Each sign indicates an area where several bears have been hit, a visual reminder to slow down and be aware of wildlife on roadways. Every year, several bears, hundreds of deer, and countless other animals are killed while trying to cross park roads. Park Rangers say in 2005, over a dozen bears, some cubs, were hit by motor vehicles.

Many of these collisions could have been avoided had drivers been obeying posted speed limits. People who want to learn more about the Red Bear, Dead Bear program can attend the Public Open House in Yosemite Valley on November 30, 2005, or contact the Yosemite National Park media relations office.