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!