Respecting Wildlife in National Parks: How We Can All Be Stewards of the Land
National parks are sanctuaries where visitors can witness the beauty of nature and wildlife in its purest form. Whether it’s a chance to see a herd of elk crossing a meadow at sunrise, a bison roaming free, or a glimpse of a grizzly bear digging for food, these encounters are a reminder of how interconnected we are with the natural world. Yet, with the increasing popularity of outdoor recreation, many parks, including Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks have seen a rise in poor behavior towards wildlife—behavior that can be harmful not just to the animals but to the environment as a whole.
Photo by ETA Social Media Manager Kelsey Wellington
The Importance of Proper Behavior Towards Wildlife
When visiting national parks, it’s crucial to respect wildlife and their habitats. These areas are protected not just for human enjoyment but also for the survival of countless species. Animals in parks are wild and must remain that way. Close encounters and human interference can disturb their natural behaviors, leading to dangerous situations for both wildlife and visitors.
The National Park Service (NPS) offers some simple yet effective guidelines for interacting with wildlife:
- Keep Your Distance: Most parks recommend staying at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other animals. Getting too close can stress animals, alter their behaviors, and may even result in dangerous situations for you. Recently, Grand Teton National Park has seen a rise in bad behavior from park goers—particularly with moose—which has resulted in numerous visitors getting ticketed. These visitors have been stressing the animals by getting too close and have behaved rudely towards other wildlife watchers, ruining the experience for all. It’s important to remember that these animals are a public resource for all to enjoy, and no single photograph or glimpse of an animal is worth more than anyone else’s enjoyment of getting to see these magnificent creatures in the wild.
- Never Feed Wildlife: Feeding animals, whether intentionally or accidentally (through improper trash disposal), teaches them to associate humans with food. This can lead to aggressive behavior or even euthanasia if the animal becomes too reliant on human interaction. Again, wildlife photographers, in particular, have been caught baiting animals with food in order to get the perfect shot.
- Leave No Trace: Properly dispose of all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitats. Respect the environment as if it were your own backyard—because, in a way, it is.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks have experienced their fair share of irresponsible wildlife encounters in recent years. Visitors have been seen getting too close to moose, bears, and bison to snap the perfect photo, often with dire consequences. In some instances, animals have been put down after becoming too accustomed to human presence. In other cases, visitors have found themselves injured after animals—understandably—felt threatened.
These incidents highlight the need for greater awareness and education about proper behavior in wild spaces. In Grand Teton, rangers have increased efforts to enforce rules, but the message still hasn’t reached everyone. Part of the problem is the rise of social media, where photos and videos of wildlife encounters go viral, creating a false sense that such behavior is acceptable or even encouraged.
Being Stewards of the Land
We all share a responsibility to be stewards of the land when visiting national parks. The beauty and majesty of parks like Grand Teton are gifts that future generations deserve to experience just as we do. That means taking an active role in preserving not just the land but also the wildlife that calls it home.
Here’s how we can all be better stewards:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Before visiting a national park, familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines. Share this knowledge with fellow visitors, especially if you see unsafe or inappropriate behavior.
- Support Conservation Efforts: Consider contributing to organizations that support wildlife conservation and the protection of public lands. Parks rely on these efforts to maintain the balance between recreation and preservation.
- Lead by Example: Your actions speak louder than words. When others see you respecting wildlife and following the rules, they’re more likely to do the same.
As a wildlife tour company, we put wildlife and guest safety above all else. Our tour vehicles have custom-installed roof hatches to give guests a great view of wildlife from the safety of the vehicle. Our guides always maintain appropriate distance from wildlife – 25 yards for herbivores and small carnivores, 100 yards for predators like wolves and bears – and even speak up when other visitors get too close. We also use high-quality optics from Swarovski Optik to ensure guests get crisp, crystal clear views of wildlife, even from hundreds of yards away. All of this ensures that we are not disturbing wildlife while watching them in their natural habitat, allowing their behavior to remain unchanged and giving guests a truly wild experience.
In the end, our national parks belong to all of us, but they also belong to the creatures that inhabit them. By acting as responsible visitors and stewards of the land, we can help ensure that parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone remain pristine and wild for generations to come. Let’s not allow our desire for a fleeting moment of excitement to endanger the lives of animals or diminish the wilderness that makes these places so special.
Remember: When it comes to wildlife, admiration from afar is the most respectful form of appreciation.
