Chart by NPS
Americans have become disconnected from nature. And ignorance comes with a very direct price. We saw another example when a bison tossed a 9-year-old girl into the air after her group of hikers got too close.
I love to observe wildlife. It’s the way I connect with nature. I’ve tracked Grizzly in Alaska and encountered amazing lions in Africa. I’ve spied an Albert’s lyrebird in an Australian rain forest and penguins in an icy fjord. From the largest whale to the smallest insect, each encounter is fun, thrilling, and educational.
But in all cases, we must follow safe wildlife-watching practices. It not only keeps us safe, but it protects the wild animals we love.
How close you can safely approach an animal depends on many factors. For marine mammals in the United States, the distance is regulated by law. But in other cases, you need to obey local rules and exercise sound judgment. You need to know the animals, know the risks, and know how to avoid getting too close.
Below is a video of the bison incident, which occurred at Yellowstone National Park.
For tips on watching wildlife safely, see this web-page by the National Parks Service.
Enjoy your encounters with wild creatures. But keep yourself safe. And protect the safety of the wonderful animals with which we share this planet.
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