National Parks and Wildlife Safety Tips
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Getting close to animals may seem like an exciting idea, but when you are dealing with national parks and wildlife, it is a better idea to exercise caution. After all, there is a reason why these animals are called “wild” life. Wild animals have a simple mindset, to protect their territory and young, and survive. Any human on their territory is perceived as a threat. You may not see a wild animal each time you visit national parks and forests, but should you happen upon some of these creatures, these safety tips will help you know what to do.
Even animals like deer, which appear very timid and friendly, have a natural instinct that allows them to protect themselves from danger. During the fall when the bucks are in rut, they are more aggressive and you could find yourself in a dangerous situation should you cross paths with one. If you are heading to a one of the national parks and wildlife areas or a Canadian national park, remember to keep your distance from all animals.
These few tips about national parks and wildlife may help you have a safer trip.
Do not feed the animals. You may see signs with these words in any national parks and forests. This is not because the park rangers want the animals to die of famine. This tip is as much as protection for the animals as it is for people. Wild animals have found food on their own before humanity created a sanctuary for them, they will find food long after. If you approach a deer or elk with some food, if you manage to get close enough for it to eat out of your hand, this may seem like a pristine photo opportunity. However, this innocent situation could turn ugly. One flash from the camera could cause the animal to lash out with its hooves or horns. Also, as these animals become more and more habituated to human interaction, they may start begging for handouts and may even get aggressive if they don’t receive any. Leave these animals to fend for themselves. Take a picture from afar. It may save you a few broken bones and bruises when you leave these Canadian national parks.
Keep children and pets close by. National parks and wildlife can sometimes seem like play things to kids. There are many places for young ones and pets to disappear in dense cover. Also, even if you have an eye on them, keep them within grabbing distance. To some wildlife, small children and pets are the size of their prey. Even something as harmless as a chipmunk may suddenly become violent and bite. Canadian national parks and forests are wild habitats and should never be considered substitute playgrounds for children.
Treat all wildlife with respect. Whether this means giving them their space or putting away all garbage so you leave no damage to their habitats, wild animals deserve this courtesy. You wouldn’t like a stranger to come into your place, flop on your couch, and take pictures while throwing empty wrappers on the floor, would you? Neither do the animals in our national parks and forests. Interfering with their instinctual needs can threaten their natural development. Canadian national parks are these animals’ homes. We are simply their guests.
Contact you local national parks or search online sites if you want to know more about how to stay safe as you encounter national parks and wildlife. Animals have minds of their own, we can’t say for sure how one will act in any given situation. Some animals might think nothing of a human wandering through, while others might decide that human is a threat and seek to eliminate it. Knowing as much as you can about the wildlife you may meet up with and what instinctual defensive behavior each animal has can go a long way for mutual respect of nature and the environment, as well as keep you safe.
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