Some visitors just can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves.
It certainly feels like there is never a deficit of news stories about someone taking a selfie with a Phascolarctos cinereus ortrying to embrace a bison . With societal media , it can be hard to get laid if the frequence of these happening is inflate by the hyper visibility of sealed incidents online , or if the numeral of these usurpation of protected wildlife is actually arise .
But , at least domestically , I can confirm that in 2023 , there was a somewhat striking uptick in the telephone number of time people were stir up wildlife inside the national car park . According to datathe National Park Serviceshared with Thrillist , the number of citations for wildlife - related incidents more than double compared to 2022 .
In 2023 , 835 citations were emerge to national park visitors for infractions relating to taking wildlife and disturbing wildlife nesting , breeding , and other activities . In 2022 , there were 388 cite issued , and in 2021 , there were 361 .
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The number of mention in reality dramatically reduced in 2021 compared to 2020 , and the years prior . This can be impute to a step-down ofnational park visitorsthroughout 2021 and 2022 . For instance , in 2021 there were 297 million visitors to the park , and in 2022 , there were 312 million . Comparatively , there were 327 million visitant in 2019 .
The National Parks Are Begging You to Keep Your Distance from Wildlife
A recent bear attack has prompted the NPS to remind visitors about its wildlife safety rules.
And sure , 835 citation for bother national common animals out of a few hundred million visitors is n’t a awful share of the group , but it ’s not enceinte either . specially when you consider what the consequences of those behavior are and that the numbers are slue dramatically upwards .
“ come near wild animals can drastically regard their well - being and , in this guinea pig , their survival . Park regulations require that people stay at least 25 yards ( 23 m ) off from all wildlife ( including bison , elk and cervid ) and at least 100 yards ( 91 m ) away from bear and wolves , " the National Park Service said in a statement shared with Thrillist last May .
" Disregarding these regulating can lead in amercement , injury and even death , " the statement continued . " The condom of these creature , as well as human safety , depends on everyone using honest judgement and follow these simple rule . "
These simple rule are post frequently throughout the parking area . But if you need to know the guidelines before you go , you may also find the home park wildlife policies onNPS.gov .
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