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posted by takyon on Tuesday August 04 2015, @07:08AM   Printer-friendly
from the good-advice dept.

Katie Rogers reports at the NYT that officials at Yellowstone National Park are warning visitors not to fraternize with wildlife after a woman was injured while trying to take a selfie near a bison — but that hasn't stopped some visitors from posting their close encounters on social media. A notice released by the National Park Service details how a 43-year-old and her child turned their backs to a bison while trying to take a selfie while the animal was 6 yards away. The visitors tried to get away when they heard the bison approach, but the animal lifted the woman up and tossed her with its head. She is the fifth person to be injured in an encounter with one of the park's bison this summer.

The park's warnings are not subtle: Upon entering, visitors receive a bright yellow flier that depicts a person getting gored by a bison. According to Julena Campbell, summer, which is breeding season, is the most dangerous time to be near the animals. "The family said they read the warnings in both the park literature and the signage, but saw other people close to the bison, so they thought it would be OK," says Colleen Rawlings, a ranger in the park's Old Faithful District. "People need to recognize that Yellowstone wildlife is wild, even though they seem docile. This woman was lucky that her injuries were not more severe."


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  • (Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Tuesday August 04 2015, @06:04PM

    by LoRdTAW (3755) on Tuesday August 04 2015, @06:04PM (#218004) Journal

    Common sense indeed. Would you pet a strange dog? How about attempting to pick up a stray cat?

    People are just incredibly dumb. They don't stop and think about their actions.

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  • (Score: 3, Informative) by Immerman on Wednesday August 05 2015, @11:38AM

    by Immerman (3985) on Wednesday August 05 2015, @11:38AM (#218441)

    Yes, also with strange horses and various wild animals.

    The key is to treat them with respect: they're not a toy for your entertainment. If you wish to interact with them then catch their attention, *offer* an interaction, and leave them alone if *they* don't take the initiative. And just like with that large heavily scarred biker at the bar, keep in mind that inviting the attention of something potentially dangerous isn't necessarily in your best interest. We are descended from prey animals after all.

    Other tips:
    - Move slowly: they don't know your intentions so make sure you move slowly and clearly enough to telegraph them. Non-tame animals will generally do the same with you, and you should be on guard and consider leaving immediately if they don't

    - Don't go taking liberties - just because an animal "talks" with you or sniffs your hand doesn't mean you should try to touch it - caressing is a fairly intimate activity for most animals: you can ask, but move slowly and don't press the issue if it shies away or acts aggressive. Think of it like interacting with a person who doesn't speak your language - simple greetings and pantomime/tonal comments about mood or the weather are one thing, stroking their back quite another.

    - Sniffing noses is a near-universal friendly greeting among mammals, not unlike a lingering handshake or quick hug among humans - not necessarily shared with strangers, don't push it, but if you're not comfortable having the animal's face that close to your own you should probably just leave it alone entirely.

    - More than momentary eye contact, and baring of teeth, are near universal threatening gestures among animals. Don't stare or show your teeth while smiling - they'll likely think you're trying to pick a fight. And if they do either, back off.

    - If the animal is potentially seriously dangerous, even accidentally, make sure you can understand enough of their basic communication to distinguish between curiosity, fear, anger, and (if a predator) hunger. Better yet, stay away entirely. Heck, cows freak me out - those big empty eyes tell me nothing about what's gong on in their heads.