# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CaQzHr3reyY
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21025022-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/79a5e26237.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-22T02:16:16.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

Observing wildlife in their native habitat can be a thrilling experience. However, it’s important to follow safe wildlife watching practices to protect the health of wildlife...and yourself! Injuries from wildlife are not a pleasant way to spend your vacation. Bison and elk can gore, butt, or toss visitors. Yee-haw! Snakes can strike, and bears can maul. Smaller wildlife such as squirrels and fox can bite and may carry ticks, fleas, or rabies that can make you or your pet sick. Awesome. Who’s ready for a hike? 

Don’t worry. You can help keep yourself and other visitors safe and wildlife wild by setting a good example and treating wildlife with proper caution and respect. 

First off, remember that wild animals are unpredictable. That’s why each park requires visitors to stay a certain distance away from animals, usually 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from large wildlife like bears or wolves. (Always check with the park you’re visiting.) 

Next, it’s your responsibility to maintain a distance. If wildlife approaches you (aren’t you special), then you need to move back. Keep in mind that most animals do not want to attack. For example, bears may bluff their way by charging and then turning away at the last second. (Note to self: Pack extra pair of pants.) 

If you’re headed into the wild, it’s a good idea to hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person and can alert wildlife of your presence. Be social. Be smelly. To avoid surprising a bear or other potentially threatening animal on the trail, shout, “Hey bear!” If you hear a “Hey there!” back, it’s a trap! Make good choices. 

Image: Moose giving the side eye at @grandtetonnps. NPS/C. Adams

#wildlifesafety #grandteton #wyoming #nationalparkservice #safetyfirst #travel #recreateresponsibly #travelphotography #travelgram

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 29,943
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 91

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

wyoming, recreateresponsibly, travel, travelgram, safetyfirst, wildlifesafety, nationalparkservice, grandteton, travelphotography

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