Wildlife parks are home to different types of wildlife such as black bears, moose, elk, foxes, white-tailed deer, and more. Seeing such animals while you hike and camp can be your visit’s highlight. But because animal behavior cannot be predicted, there are risks related to being near any wild animal. So, to make sure you have a safe and great experience in wildlife parks, you should know some rules. Read more about these rules below:
Keeping Yourself Safe While Camping
To prevent conflicts with wildlife in campgrounds, you must keep the campsite free of anything that can attract animals. Attractants include items that have an odor and are visually related to food. Personal hygiene products, food items, pet food, dirty dishes, and garbage can attract animals. So, if you are not using these items, store them in secure locations like your vehicle or a designated storage facility the park offers. These items should be not left unattended in your campsite to avoid ruining everyone’s fun and peace. Keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to cook in or near the tent because this can leave odors that wildlife may be attracted to.
Staying Safe While Watching Wildlife
For the majority of park visitors, watching wildlife in their environment is a highlight of their vacation. To ensure everyone’s safety, including the safety of wildlife, do not go near any wild animal. Approaching one is dangerous. If possible, stay 30 meters away from elk and 100 meters from black bears, cougars, wolves, and other predators. Keep in mind that even small animals like ground squirrels can provide you with a severe bite.
All female species tend to defend their young whenever they feel threatened in the spring. Starting in late summer and throughout the fall, male elk, moose, bison, and deer are aggressive as this is the breeding season.
Safety When Hiking
Wildlife parks provide many hiking experiences for visitors. During your walk, you can encounter wildlife since they can be anywhere within the park. So, try to make noise to make animals know you are there. Also, hiking with some people will alert wild animals to your presence. When surprised, animals can react aggressively in order to defend themselves.
When you hike with your pets, take care. Pets should be always under your physical control. Pets that are not leashed can provoke defensive responses in a lot of wildlife species.