| National parks and wildlife within these parks may | | | | Leave these animals to fend for themselves. |
| sometimes be an exhilarating experience but, | | | | Take a picture from afar. It may save you a few |
| from a timid deer to an aggressive bear, wildlife | | | | broken bones and bruises when you leave these |
| should be dealt with caution and care. | | | | Canadian national parks. |
| These animals are called "wild" life for a reason. | | | | Keep children and pets close by. National parks |
| While spotting a wild animal within the parks may | | | | and wildlife can sometimes seem like play things |
| not happen every time you visit, the sightings do | | | | to kids. There are many places for young ones |
| happen, and it's a good idea to know the safety | | | | and pets to disappear in dense cover. |
| tips should you happen upon any wildlife. | | | | Also, even if you have an eye on them, keep |
| In any Canadian national park or national parks | | | | them within grabbing distance. To some wildlife, |
| and wildlife reserves, a creature as benign as a | | | | small children and pets are the size of their prey. |
| deer may cross your path. This passiveness can | | | | Even something as harmless as a chipmunk may |
| sometimes be mistaken for friendliness. | | | | suddenly become violent and bite. |
| All it takes is one sudden movement and you will | | | | Canadian national parks and forests are wild |
| be defending yourself from a frightened animal | | | | habitats and should never be considered substitute |
| protecting itself on instinct. An angry or frightened | | | | playgrounds for children. |
| deer can be just as dangerous as a charging bear. | | | | Treat all wildlife with respect. Whether this means |
| A human can't out run an animal and has fewer | | | | giving them their space or putting away all |
| defenses when it comes to dealing with claws, | | | | garbage so you leave no damage to their |
| teeth and antlers. | | | | habitats, wild animals deserve this courtesy. |
| These few tips about national parks and wildlife | | | | You wouldn't like a stranger to come into your |
| may help you have a safer trip. | | | | place, flop on your couch, and take pictures while |
| Do not feed the animals. You may see signs with | | | | throwing empty wrappers on the floor, would |
| these words in any national parks and forests. | | | | you? Neither do the animals in our national parks |
| This is not because the park rangers want the | | | | and forests. |
| animals to die of famine. This tip is as much as | | | | Interfering with their instinctual needs can |
| protection for the animals as it is for people. | | | | threaten their natural development. Canadian |
| Wild animals have found food on their own before | | | | national parks are these animals' homes. We are |
| humanity created a sanctuary for them, they will | | | | simply their guests. |
| find food long after. If you approach a deer or elk | | | | For more safety tips, you can visit any national |
| with some food, if you manage to get close | | | | parks and wildlife websites or contact your local |
| enough for it to eat out of your hand, this may | | | | national parks. Before you head out into the |
| seem like a pristine photo opportunity. | | | | wilderness, inform yourself on the type of animals |
| However, this innocent situation could turn ugly. | | | | you may have sightings of and learn about their |
| One flash from the camera could cause the | | | | typical defensive behavior. |
| animal to lash out with its hooves or horns. Also, | | | | Learn the animals' habits, what they eat, when |
| as these animals become more and more | | | | they sleep or where they hunt. The more you |
| habituated to human interaction, they may start | | | | know, the better your chances are of having a |
| begging for handouts and may even get | | | | harmless encounter. Better safe than sorry! |
| aggressive if they don't receive any. | | | | |