Seeing wildlife is one of the best parts of exploring a national park, but officials are warning travelers it’s important to always keep a safe distance.
The warning comes after a visitor to Grand Teton National Park was injured following a recent encounter with a bear. National Park Service officials believe the incident occurred during a surprise encounter with two grizzly bears.
The park goer was airlifted by a helicopter and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. They are expected to make a full recovery.
However, the encounter highlights the potential danger coming too close to wildlife can pose. The NPS warns travelers to always stay at least 300 feet away from bears and never leave food unattended unless it is properly secured.
Travelers should also carry bear spray with them and hike in groups of three people or more. And if you do see a bear, you should back away slowly and not run.
The NPS is also warning visitors to Yellowstone National Park to keep their distance from elk since calving season has begun. There are anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 elk in Yellowstone during the summer — the most abundant large mammal found in the park — with new calves typically born in May to late June.
“Cow elk are much more aggressive towards people during the calving season and may run towards you or kick,” according to the NPS. “Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable.”
Park visitors should always remain at least 75 feet away from elk (the length of two full-sized buses), and run away if an elk starts barreling toward them.
The NPS issued similar warnings last year after two park visitors were injured during interactions with wild bison at both Yellowstone National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Beyond bears and elk, travelers should also remain at least 300 feet away from other predators like wolves and at least 75 feet away from all other animals they may encounter, according to the NPS.
