With Yellowstone’s East Gate opening at 8 a.m. Friday, the iconic national park has adopted a so-called “Safe Selfie” policy to combat the spree of dangerous decisions made by visitors in recent years trying to get the perfect self shot photo.
The Cody Enterprise reports “Take the Yellowstone Pledge” nicknamed “The Safe Selfie Policy” is a simple verbal pledge to stress a safety first approach for visitors in the wild sanctuary that is Yellowstone. Hopefully it will remind people that Yellowstone is not a zoo and the dangers inherent to a wild environment do not cease to exist because you have paid an entrance fee.
Here is the pledge featured on the Yellowstone’s nps.gov website:
Take the pledge. Tell a friend. Protect the park.
The Yellowstone Pledge is a personal promise you can make to yourself and the park. It can be taken anywhere: it doesn’t need to be taken out loud or in front of anyone. Tag #YellowstonePledge and encourage others to do the same.
To be a steward and help protect myself and the park, I pledge to:
- Practice safe selfies by never approaching animals to take a picture.
- Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas.
- Protect hot springs by not throwing anything into them.
- Park in designated areas and avoid blocking traffic.
- Stay with my car if I’m stuck in a wildlife jam.
- Follow speed limits and pull over to let cars pass.
- Travel safely in bear country by carrying bear spray, making noise, and hiking in groups.
- Keep my food away from animals.
- Recycle what I can and put my garbage in bear-proof containers.
- Report resource violations by calling 911 or talking to a ranger.
Thanks for taking the pledge and showing your dedication to Yellowstone!
