Safely Enjoy Wildlife

On It · ‎03-15-2021

As travel season arrives, I want to remind everyone to safely enjoy wildlife. When you see them, they should be respected. They are in what they perceive to be their home. Whether they are in the middle of the wilderness or a neighborhood, their survival instinct will prevail over human curiosity.

Our village has a campaign to protect wildlife. The slogan "Keep Wildlife Wild" appears on signage throughout the area.

Wildlife looks peaceful and calm until it is NOT. An area across from our home is a meadow among the mountains and pines that attracts wildlife to gather to enjoy natural grass in the open fields, tasty soccer field grass, fresh mown golf course goodies, and the natural spring that bubbles from beneath the ground.

I see ill-advised stunts on occasion. They make my blood boil. People can be heartless and downright stupid. I saw a man feed cookies to a horse, a father walked his pre-school son into the horse herd to pet them, and two women left their vehicle and walked close to the elk to take photos.

The photo I posted of the bull elk standing in front of our Tahoe was taken in the middle of rut season. That guy was deliberately blocking the street. He walked out as we were approaching, stopped in our lane, and stared. During rut, elk bulls are vying for cows. They are grumpy and territorial. We sat there for some time before before he decided to move. We did not want him to attack our vehicle because we sounded the horn.

@Kachina624 posted this photo which is frightening. We were discussing size, but it applies to wildlife safety.

Someone I know who works at the hospital told me a woman was brought in needing surgery. She had foolishly been feeding Cheetos to a bull elk. She ran out, the bull became agitated because he wanted more, so he attacked her. Who would hand feed this guy?

Attacks happen because people don't think. Enjoy the wildlife but respect them. They are exquisite creatures.

cheriere · ‎12-01-2023

@On It

Wonderful post! I sincerely hope people are more respectful this upcoming season.❤️

GinaV24 · ‎07-23-2010

thank you @On It that's a great reminder to people that wild animals ARE wild and should be respected.

some idiots in NC apparently pulled several bear cubs out of a tree!! I saw the video on the news and thought what the heck is the matter with people? Just leave them alone. They'd have had a nasty surprise if mama bear had come back beside the fact that they could have injured the cubs.

On It · ‎03-15-2021

My apologies for the change in font size. I do not know why it happened and did not notice until it posted. I think the photos tell the story for those of us who struggle with small print. Getting the photos sized where they would load had my full attention. It is much more difficult since the most recent change in the drop down box.

On It · ‎03-15-2021

@GinaV24 I saw that video. It made me so angry I had to look away. I hope there are some stiff penalties that can be imposed on the thoughtless group who thought yanking baby cubs out of a tree was a good idea. If mama bear had returned, they were in for a rude awakening.

OKPrincess · ‎03-10-2013

@GinaV24 wrote:
thank you @On It that's a great reminder to people that wild animals ARE wild and should be respected.

some idiots in NC apparently pulled several bear cubs out of a tree!! I saw the video on the news and thought what the heck is the matter with people? Just leave them alone. They'd have had a nasty surprise if mama bear had come back beside the fact that they could have injured the cubs.

@GinaV24

Did they catch the people grabbing the little cubs? I am surprised mama bear wasn't close by.

catter70 · ‎10-11-2017

I can't believe people are dumb enough to do some of the stunts they pull. Think first.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

In my area the problem is whitetail deer. Not so much interacting with them, but driving slow enough through deer-prone areas to avoid hitting them. They can run out onto the road from the woods without warning. A collision with an adult deer can not only kill or maim the deer, it can cause extensive damage to a car or even a truck.

Also, fawns will be coming soon. When one or two does cross the road, please wait a few minutes until you're sure there are no babies following. The fawns often are trailing behind their mothers and quite often become casualties because people don't stop long enough for them to keep up with mom.

PJinIA · ‎03-21-2010

It never ceases to amaze me every time I visit the national parks just how stupid people can be. Yellowstone is particularly bad and there is even an Instagram account called "Tourons of Yellowstone" highlighting some of the stupid people tricks there! The saddest consequence of their behavior is that the animal will always be the one to pay the price for their stupidity if something goes wrong! I've seen people a couple feet away from bears, bison, elk and big horn sheep...and it's often those recording themselves with a selfie stick while doing it! You can't fix stupid!