Wildlife Safety
Wildlife are wild. It's important to keep them that way and to keep yourself safe. Protect yourself and them by following a few simple rules:
- Never approach animals. The animals in Yellowstone Country are wild and unpredictable. Always stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
- Never feed wildlife. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, and other smelly items packed away when not in use.
- Never park in the road or block traffic to view wildlife. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.
For more information on the wildlife in Yellowstone Country, visit our Wildlife Watching page.
For more on wildlife safety, visit the National Park Service's Wildlife page.
