Every year, the National Park Service (NPS) has to remind people not to approach the animals. Yet every year, people are injured trying to get close up for pictures or even to pet them.
Most of us don’t have the luxury of visiting national parks frequently. They can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s easy to get swept up in the moment and not think your actions through. But it’s essential to think your actions through.
Sometimes, using humor is the best way to convey a serious message. That’s why the NPS posted, “Believe in yourself like visitors who believe they can pet a bison,” along with a post about safety tips for avoiding wildlife on X (previously Twitter).
Bison look like gentle giants. They don’t eat meat, and they look soft. But national parks are not petting zoos, and wild animals are not tame.
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” the NPS wrote in an announcement. “Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.”
Last year, a man was hospitalized after he kicked a bison, and it retaliated. Later in the summer, a woman was gored when a bison snuck up behind her. He lifted her on his horns. That shows that even when a person isn’t violent, being in their territory isn’t safe.
Even people who don’t mean to behave poorly can. You may not realize how close is too close or what might upset an animal. That’s why brushing up on park etiquette before you go is so important. The wildlife can be very different. Even if you know how to deal with one animal, you might not know how to handle another. Your area may have coyotes, but moose have their own rules.
The NPS wants people to visit. They aren’t trying to scare people away with their messages. They just want visitors to know how to act. That way the people, animals and the land remain safe to be enjoyed for years.
“Our main goal is always to communicate important information: don’t get too close to wildlife, be aware of surroundings, respect the resource, as well as offer travel tips and park news,” said Matthew Turner who runs the NPS’ social media platforms. “We could share these messages in a straightforward, no nonsense way, but if we can get the message out using some humor, or grab attention with a pop culture reference, we’ve often seen those posts, and their messages, really resonate. Especially for a government agency — which people understandably think of as being fairly staid — the use of ‘edutainment’ has gotten lots of positive feedback, while maybe catching others by surprise.”
The post is funny. But the message is serious. Respect the animals and stay safe in the parks! It’s the best way to enjoy your visit!
