Living Hazard: Respect Wildlife

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By Leave No Trace.

Happening upon animals in the wilderness can be both exciting and unnerving. With a little caution, common sense and respect, most wild animal encounters can be avoided.

Considerate campers observe wildlife from afar, give animals a wide berth, store food securely, and keep garbage and food scraps away from animals. Remember that you are a visitor to their home.

Most healthy animals will not attack you.
- One exception is a protective, startled mother with young.
- Sick or wounded animals can bite, peck or scratch and send you to the hospital.
- Bears, snakes, ticks, and spiders are a potential threat to humans and deserve special attention.
Observe wildlife from a distance so they are not scared or forced to flee. If you happen upon an anumal unexpectedly, move away quietly and slowly to minimize stress.
Do not touch, get close to, feed or pick up wild animals. It is stressful to the animal, and it is possible that the animal may harbor rabies or other diseases.
- Young animals removed or touched by well-meaning people may cause the animals parents to abandon them.
Travel quietly and do not pursue or force animals to flee. Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. (One exception is in bear country where it is good to make a little noise so as not to startle the bears.)

Allow animals free access to water sources by giving them the buffer space they need to feel secure. With limited water in arid lands, it is particularly important to avoid water holes at night in the desert (desert dwellers are usually most active after dark). Camps should be located 200 feet or more from existing water sources.
Washing and human waste disposal must be done carefully so the environment is not polluted, and animals and aquatic life are not injured. Swimming in large lakes or streams is OK in most instances but not in desert areas - leave scarce water holes undisturbed and unpolluted so animals may drink from them.