People Watching in Yellowstone
Human and Wildlife Interactions Provide Entertainment and Education
Yellowstone National Park provides spectacular viewing opportunities of wildlife and human interactions.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone represents one of America's "last frontiers." Established in 1872, Yellowstone is America's first national park. The park encompasses a huge area, (3472 square miles or 8987 square kilometers) and is located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This large area provides excellent habitat for a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk.
The National Park Service Director, Stephen T. Mather (1917-1929), stated that, "Who will gainsay that the parks contain the highest potentialities of national pride, national contentment, and national health? A visit inspires love of country; begets contentment; engenders pride of possession; contains the antidote for national restlessness…"
Thus the great pilgrimage to the park began.
Dangerous Wildlife?
Many people are drawn to Yellowstone because the park offers a chance to see wildlife in its native habitat. You don't often see these large mammals except in a zoo. Yet people often act like they are viewing these wild animals in captivity. They forget that the animals are not tame and could possibly cause them harm. There are no bars in Yellowstone and the wildlife are free to do what they want – which means attack people if provoked. There are signs throughout the park stating this danger, but people will do anything to get close to a wild animal or to snap a good picture.
People Viewing
As you follow the ant trail of cars progressing through Yellowstone, you are guaranteed to view the following interesting human behaviors regarding the following animals:
Male Elk (Bulls)
Bull elk sometimes bed down right off the main roads in the park. The line of traffic will come to a halt as people pull of to the side to get view of the animal. People then approach the animal slowly, as the elk calmly watches. It is typical to view people coming within ten to fifteen feet of a bull elk to snap a good picture. Usually the elk will give a warning that you are coming too close, like standing up and shaking its head. These animals are not predators, but some mature males have a hefty set of antlers.
Female Elk (Cows)
Female elk usually stick together in herds. It is common to view female herds with their calves throughout the park. It is also common to view groups of people walking between females and their offspring. Females with young present a danger that people don't usually think of: females will do anything to protect their young and will attack if they feel their young is threatened. They perceive you as a threat if you get between them and their young.
Bring Lots of Film
Before you begin your pilgrimage to the park, make sure you load up on film way before you get into Yellowstone. Film is extremely expensive in the few stores located within the park, and even right outside of park boundaries. You won't want to miss any opportunities to capture it all on film: wildlife and humans.
Sources:
http://www.theparksco.com/explore/park_quotes_past.html
