Grizzly bears are waking up in Yellowstone National Park.
Visitors spotted a large grizzly last Friday between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge, Yellowstone officials announced in a news release. Tracks were also seen between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction.
It's that time of year, as male grizzlies usually come out of hibernation in mid-to-late March. Females with cubs leave the dens in April and early May.
Bears leaving hibernation look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter, the release said. The release added that bears sometimes react aggressively while consuming a carcass.
Yellowstone's release said all of the park is bear country, and that visitors should take precautions like hiking or skiing in groups, making noise and carrying bear spray. Restrictions began in some bear management areas on Sunday, including the Firehole area, Mary Mountain Trail, Richard's Pond and Gneiss Creek, among others.
