The National Park Service has held the same general wildlife rules and regulations for several decades but it still seems like every year people manage to put themselves in harms way by behaving poorly in order to get up close and personal. Plus with the increase in popularity of smartphones and social media, plenty of tourists seem to think of themselves as professional photographers yet don’t seem to understand the concept of respecting wildlife and the world around them.
The most dangerous animal in each national park is usually the one most frequently approached by tourists. In Olympic National Park, elk are among the most dangerous animals. In Yellowstone National Park, bison are responsible for more injuries to humans than any other animal.
In response to the number of visitors approaching wildlife to either pet or take a closeup picture, the National Park Service shared a funny infographic depicting the proper way to behave around animals. You don’t want to go viral for your poor behavior or wind up with a fine/jail time because you broke park laws. Always remember the NPS phrase “Use Your Zoom And Give Them Room,” and never approach, tease, call to, feed, or touch any animals that you might come across.
National Park Service:
“It’s getting to be that season again…
National parks offer a unique experience for watching wildlife. But with that privilege comes great responsibility. Visitors are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of the animals, too. Simply put, leave animals alone—no touching, no feeding, no harassing. Just remember to keep your distance, and enjoy your experience watching wildlife.
This message is not for those followers who know what’s up and would never dream of getting too close to wildlife on purpose. Thanks for leading by example! Think of this as a message to share with others you know heading out to a park. “Vacation brain” sometimes takes over, and people may let their guard down, or get taken in by bear’s ears and other cuddly thoughts, only to have a less than pleasant experience in nature. It happens. Every year.”