Did you know that from 2015-2020 the average number of bear calls in Mammoth Lakes was 132 calls per year?
- The black bear population in California has quadrupled since 1980, from approximately 10,000 to an estimated 40,000 in 2020 with 40% of the statewide population inhabiting the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- The Town of Mammoth Lakes has two dedicated Code Compliance/Wildlife Officers who, along with Mammoth Lakes Police Officers, provide 24-hour coverage and respond to all wildlife calls.
- All trash enclosures provided by Mammoth Disposal are bear resistant, including dumpsters, recycling containers, and residential bins. It is up to residents and visitors to ensure the enclosures are closed properly to help keep our bears from relying on garbage as a food source.
- Failure to properly close and secure your dumpster is a violation of the Town’s Municipal Code, including spillage of garbage and feeding wildlife, and can result in citations and fines.
- In 2021, the majority of bear calls have come in on Sundays, when dumpsters are typically full at the end of the weekend.
- Other ways to prevent bear and human conflicts are to ensure your vehicles locked and clear of food, ensure your home is secured with windows and doors closed, and by not leaving food outside (including bird feeders).
To report any wildlife incidents, interactions or concerns, call (760) 932-7549, and select option 7. Dial 9-1-1 if you feel threatened.
For non-emergency bear related communication, please email the Mammoth Lakes Police Department or visit the new Mammoth Critters and Code Compliance Facebook page.