Black bears (Ursus americanus) and brown bears (U. Arctos) in U. S. National Parks have for many years been managed largely to reduce nuisance problems and to increase their entertainment values for park visitors. In Yosemite National Park, a recent sharp increase in human-bear conflicts, coincident with a growing sensitivity to scientific and aesthetic resource management, has resulted in a comprehensive human-bear management plan and a program to study and monitor the Yosemite black bear population. After four years of management and monitoring, data suggests that Yosemite bears are reducing their consumption of human foods and decreasing their interactions with park visitors. The population continues to be characterized by high mean weights, an equal sex ratio, and a large proportion of adult bears, but mortality in the sub-adult classes appears to be increasing. This probably is the result of the management program and of a severe 2-year drought. Bear incidents currently are increasing in the back-country, where reducing encounters and restoring a natural black bear population will require more management of people, and management of natural bear food resources.
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