Since the peak visitation period at Yellowstone National Park began in the spring, the number of human-wildlife interactions gone wrong has risen rapidly.
In April, a 40-year-old Idaho man named Clarence Yoder was arrested after kicking a bison near the park's western entrance, while several videos of visitors getting dangerously close to animals ranging from elk to bison have gone viral on social media.
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As August draws to a close, the estimated 20,000 elk living in Yellowstone are entering what is known as their annual mating season, which typically runs through late October. As a result, the National Park Service (NPS) has issued a cautionary warning about the “unprovoked and unpredictable” nature of the attacks.
'Unpredictable and much more aggressive at this time of year'
“Elk mating season, commonly known as the rut, has begun in Yellowstone National Park,” the NPS wrote in a statement. “Male elk are unpredictable and much more aggressive during this time of year and people have been seriously injured. Elk run quickly and can change direction without warning.”
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The National Park Service’s proposed strategy is to “be alert, stay away, and stay safe.” The first step is to not come within 75 feet of any moose you see and to quietly back up to that distance if you happen to encounter a moose unexpectedly. Those who see one and want to get that once-in-a-lifetime photo are strongly encouraged to use a zoom lens rather than getting close “just for a second.”
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'Take shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier.'
“If a moose approaches or runs toward you, seek shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible,” the NPS writes. “If shelter is not available nearby, flee.”
While incidents of tourists acting badly tend to spread more via the Internet, incidents of accidental encounters are also common.
In early June, an 83-year-old woman was gored when a bison sneaked up behind her during a hike on Yellowstone's Storm Point Trail and lifted her more than a foot off the ground with its horns.
In such cases, the NPS recommends remaining as still and quiet as possible while slowly backing away, as acting in panic can cause the animal to feel there is danger and act to defend itself.
Moose, which are significantly smaller than bison, are often not seen as much of a threat by tourists, but they are also the cause of a number of catastrophic incidents each year.
In June 2023, a couple who got too close to a moose and her calf ended up being persecuted They approached their car while trying to take a photo. While they were able to take cover, the dramatic way the elk lunged at them (and how things could have gone much worse) led them to the Tourons Of Yellowstone instagram page.
“Give them space, use zoom,” the NPS writes. “Never approach or chase animals to take a photo. Lenses with focal lengths of 300 mm or longer are recommended for adequate range.”
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