Not all Yellowstone National Park Grizzly Bears are in hibernation, and unfortunately, idiot tourists don’t hibernate.
The wildly popular Instagram page touronsofyellowstone posted the following video of Tourons in Yellowstone walking within 30-40 yards from a Grizzly Bear! This is way closer than the minimum 100 yards that the park requires of it’s guests.
So dont be a “Touron” and if you dont know what a is, it’s a slang term that combines “tourist” and “moron” to describe clueless or reckless travelers, often in outdoor or natural environments. It’s commonly used in national parks, ski resorts, and other tourist-heavy destinations to refer to visitors who behave ignorantly, such as:
- Ignoring safety rules (e.g., getting too close to wildlife, skiing out of bounds)
- Disrupting locals or nature (e.g., littering, feeding wild animals, blocking trails)
- Acting entitled or clueless (e.g., stopping in the middle of a ski run, arguing with rangers)
It’s often used humorously but can be a sharp critique of people who don’t respect the places they visit. Have you run into any good “touron” stories lately?
Here is some helpful information from the National Park Service on dealing with Bears in the wild.
Bears
All of Yellowstone is bear country, from the trails in the park’s backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.
- Give bears space. Keep at least 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. We recommend each person carry one can of bear spray in a readily accessible location like a quick-draw holster (not stowed away in your backpack).
- Hike in groups and make noise. Since 1970,91% of the people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with only one hiking partner. Only 9% of the people injured by bears were in groups of three or more people. While hiking on a trail, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears of your presence. Learn more about backcountry safety.
- Respect closures. Do not travel in areas closed for bear management.
- Never feed bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and will be killed.
- Stay with your stuff. Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes, as bears learn new food sources quickly.
- If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away. We want to discourage this behavior for the bears’ safety and yours.
- Help us spread the word! Share posters from our “A Bear Doesn’t Care” campaign.
If you’re involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, contact us or report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. If cell service is available, dial 911. The lives of other people, and the bear, may depend on it.