BIMS Bear Observations

Bear-human interactions and National Park Service bear management actions have been recorded using the Bear Information Management System (BIMS) since 1978. Prior to 1982, the vast majority of BIMS reports only recorded interactions during which anthropogenic food was obtained or property damage occurred. After 1982, BIMS reports were collected for all types of bear-human interactions. In 1993, the standard BIMS form was revised to make it more user-friendly and more specific to Denali National Park and Preserve. Date, location, bear behavior, habitat type, visitor activity, visitor's source of information on how to behave in bear country, and the type of interaction are among the variables recorded for each bear-human interaction. Interactions are classified as encounters or incidents based on definitions found in the Denali Bear/Human Conflict Management Action Plan.