12-07-2025
Hangry beasts are ATTACKING visitors at Yosemite National Park and brazenly stealing lunches
Savage squirrels are running rampant at California 's Yosemite National Park - and they're ready to attack visitors to get their next meal.
The wild animals have long been a part of the iconic park, but recently, their aggression has amplified, parkgoers have said.
The rodents have been caught being sassy, violent and were spotted snatching snacks and meals on several occasions.
The picturesque scenes of the 1,169 square-mile gorgeous park are constantly admired by tourists and locals, but the squirrels are ruining the atmosphere with their wild antics.
An online user recently commented on his experience there as he shared his love for the land, but not for the creatures.
He wrote on X: 'Yosemite is my absolute favorite national park! Watch out for those squirrels though, some of the most vicious I have ever encountered!'
Anya Rose, another park visitor who went there for a trip in May, also warned her Facebook friends of the dangers Yosemite squirrels bring after one bit her.
'FRIENDLY REMINDER::: Don't let the cute, little chubby, 'friendly' squirrels fool you at @yosemitenps,' she wrote alongside several photos, including one of the animal close to her finger.
'This guy took a little nip at my finger. (Yes, went to the ER to make sure I was okay and didn't need a rabies shot - doc said I'll live and don't need anything).' Rose added. Daily Mail reached out to Rose for further comment.
A clip posted to X on June 27 showed a chubby squirrel running around as it appeared to be antagonized by a person.
Other than injuries from bites and scratches, squirrels are known to carry a litany of diseases, including rabies.
The animals can also transmit the bubonic plague, and in some rare cases, their urine and feces can pass on hantavirus - both of which are deadly.
While some people might have some chance encounters with evil squirrels, experts have warned that a lack of supervision in the park has really made these animals act out even more.
After Donald Trump started to downsize the federal government and its many agencies, including the National Park Service, less and less employees have been on site at parks like the Yosemite to deter people from feeding and bothering animals.
Because of the lack of authority and direction, antics have been at an all time high, park employees and regulars have warned.
Elisabeth Barton, a founding member of Echo Adventure Cooperative - a tour operator company based in Groveland - echoed this very concern in relation to the uptick in squirrel misbehavior.
'We were just talking about this,' Barton told SFGATE. 'We landed on all the factors you mentioned, and the team all agreed that wilderness literacy is down considerably over previous years.'
Speaking on behalf of her and fellow tour guides who are all too familiar with the area and animals that dwell there, Barton said there has been a 'decline in outreach and education' on how humans should treat animals.
'Your squirrel stories don't surprise me this year … people are showing up with zero clue about what's in front of them,' she added.
Mark Rose, the Sierra Nevada program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association, has not only heard the nightmarish stories, but has experience them himself.
During a trip to Yosemite in June, Rose was confronted by aggressive squirrels while he tried to enjoy a meal.
'I had a similar experience where I was getting lunch with the group, and we kept having to shoo away the squirrels who were coming up to us,' Rose recalled.
Although he doesn't think the whole park has been plagued by the startling issue, Rose noticed that two specific spots - Vernal Fall and the Lower Yosemite Falls picnic area - are packed with the angry rodents.
'Without rangers there to supervise, there's a higher likelihood that those animals are going to become adapted to knowing they can get food from park visitors,' Rose stressed.
He noted that the opening of campgrounds in the park, which have still been forced to let people in despite staff shortages, are particularly at risk.
Because there is nobody truly keeping an eye on campers, food can easily get left behind, which in turn leaves a feast for not just squirrels, but larger animals like bears.
Beth Pratt, a regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, fears this now common practice could spell trouble for wild animals - euthanasia.
She told the outlet she remembers simpler times when it was common practice to feed rodents, but still agrees fewer rangers on the ground can easily drive the trend out of control.
'I worry a lot about the potential impacts on wildlife and people with such a radical reduction in budget for the parks,' Pratt said.
