Grand Teton National Park, WY – Everyone has a favorite teacher from their childhood that went above and beyond regular classroom duties to make education fun and memorable. Well we found the equivalent park ranger version of that favorite teacher and he works at Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park encompasses nearly 310,000 acres of pristine mountains, lakes, and plains including the major peaks of the Teton Range and the northern half of the valley of Jackson Hole. This incredible landscape is rich with wildlife including an ever expanding population of grizzly bears.
While grizzlies mostly try to avoid humans, encounters can happen throughout the park and they may act aggressively in certain situations. One such situation is a surprise encounter when the bear only becomes aware of human presence after it is in close proximity.
In these cases, it is recommended visitors back away slowly while talking in a calm, even tone. To demonstrate how to properly make a bear aware of your presence, this exemplary Grand Teton park ranger got down on all fours to play the role of a grizzly strolling down a hiking trail. While this park ranger portraying the part of a 700 lbs apex predator ambling down a dirt path might be kind of absurd and entertaining, it was also highly memorable and potentially live saving lesson these children won’t soon forget.
“Grizzly bear encounter with kids in Grand Teton National Park. National Park Service Rangers are charged with visitor safety, outdoor recreation, education and natural resource preservation. It’s a challenging career with little financial incentive. The next time you see a Ranger, consider thanking them for their service!” -Anna Knaeble
Remember folks, bears are active throughout Grand Teton and an encounter can happen anywhere at anytime. Use caution, stay alert, and be prepared should you encounter a bear in the park. The best way to be safe in bear country is to come prepared. Learn more about grizzly bear safety at Grand Teton National Park below:
Grand Teton National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
• Do not approach the animal. Enjoy the moment from a safe distance: minimum 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other animals.
• Never park in front of a crossing animal. Give wildlife the space they need.
• Follow directions from park staff. The Wildlife Brigade is trained to observe animal behavior. A safe spot one minute may not be safe the next.
• Stay flexible and alert. These are dynamic situations, and guidance may change quickly.
• Expect crowds. Wildlife sightings draw a lot of attention—especially bears.
• Watch for traffic. Stay out of travel lanes and remain right of the white line where applicable. That applies to viewing on foot and in stopped vehicles.
• Some jams may be shut down. If safety becomes a concern, we may need to clear the area.
• Different rules in developed areas. In places like campgrounds or lodges, our goal is to help the animal move on—not to manage a viewing opportunity.
