Canyon Country Animals
Remember that the wildlife lives in these deserts, canyons, and ranges, while you are only a visitor.
The natural preserve of our National Parks, Monuments, and Forests offer plentiful opportunities for you to observe a variety of native animals in their wild state.
However, the animals have a problem that you can help them overcome. Many of them are being fed, either intentionally from someone's hand, or unintentionally by people who leave food out or fail to put garbage in the containers provided.
By feeding or petting a wild animal, you help make that animal less wild. Many deer and bears have abandoned berries and leaves and insects to seek human food and garbage near the lodges and in campgrounds.
Some animals fed and petted by humans become unpredictable and even dangerous. Their threat to human safety may result in their destruction. Should wildlife suffer for the pleasure you derive from feeding and petting them?
Pets can frighten, injure, and even kill wildlife. Or your pet may be injured or killed in an encounter with a wild animal. For these reasons, pets are required to be on a leash at all times and are not permitted on any Park trails.
Being kicked by a deer's sharp hooves or clawed by a bear or bitten by a raccoon cannot be a pleasant or rewarding experience.
Do not feed wildlife. It has long been known that wildlife can be easily habituated to human feeding, causing localized populations to become dependent on humans for food. This can cause severe stress and often death when animals, dependent on handouts, do not return to natural food sources during harsh times-winter, for instance.
Never approach or attempt to handle any wild animal. All animals will defend themselves if they feel threatened or cornered. Even rabbits will bite to protect their young. By approaching or harassing wildlife, you are placing great stress on the animal and endangering yourself.
Outdoor Ethics Tips
- Tread lightly in areas where wildlife is present. By staying on designated trails and routes, critical habitats are protected.
- Stick to the sidelines. Animals are especially vulnerable during the spring season. Enjoy wildlife watching from a safe and respectful distance.
- Come to your senses. Our eyes, ears, and noses can provide clues about the presence of wildlife around us. Big eyes, big ears, and small mouths are the order of the day for successful wildlife watchers.
- Let wild animals be wild. They're cute, but they are also wild animals. Don't feet or entice animals into your camp. Wild animals that become dependent on humans often become a nuisance and have to be destroyed.
Related Sites
Remember to bookmark this site before you venture off down these side trails. They lead to other Web sites that we do not control. We cannot vouch for the content on, nor do we endorse, these sites. The following links are intended to assist you in your quest for further related information. If you discover a broken link, or a link with inappropriate content, or know of a link that should be listed here, please let us know.
|
|
More Outside Links |
||
