Just to be crystal clear on this, the following Wildlife Petting Chart was issued by the National Parks Service in a joking manner and is not meant to encourage visitors petting bison, rather it was posted to highlight the obvious potential consequences of getting within arms reach of the North America’s largest land mammal. With that said, the folks doing the socials at the NPS certainly have a devious sense of humor.
America’s National Parks offer a truly unique experience for watching wildlife but with that privilege comes responsibility. National Park visitors are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of the animals. Simply put, keep your distance—no touching, no feeding, no harassing.
Yellowstone Bison Safety Guidelines:
Bison may appear tranquil, but these large animals have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They can run 3x faster than humans, making it very important to give them plenty of space.
-Keep at least 25 yards (23 meters) from bison at all times and never approach a bison to take a photo. If need be, turn around and go the other way if a bison walks within 25 yards.
-If approached too closely, bison may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing while staring at you, pawing, bellowing, or raising its tail. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent—do not stand your ground! Immediately walk or run away from the animal. If the bison follows you, spray bear spray as you are moving away, and seek cover behind nearby trees or cars.
-Plan extra time when driving through Yellowstone—the speed limit is 45 mph, unless posted otherwise, and you’re likely to encounter a “bison jam”. If bison are on the road, be patient, drive slowly, and stay in your vehicle. Wait for bison to move along; do not honk your horn or drive aggressively toward them. The size and dark coloration of bison means you should be especially careful when driving at night or anytime visibility is poor.
