Want to experience amazing wildlife on your next trek, without endangering yourself or the animals?

Every year, thousands of trekkers travel to the great outdoors in search of bears, elk, mountain lions and a host of other wild animals.

The problem is…

Most people have no idea how to safely observe these animals.

Big problem.

Venturing too close to wildlife can lead to serious injuries, fines and even death. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By learning and following a few basic safety rules, you can have incredible wildlife encounters while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

And I’m going to show you exactly how…

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why it’s important to follow wildlife safety tips on treks
• The safe viewing distances you should keep from wild animals
• What to do if you come across wild animals while trekking
• The essential gear to pack for wildlife viewing on treks

Why Wildlife Safety Tips Are Important on Treks

Wildlife sightings are one of the best parts of trekking. There’s something magical about stumbling across a huge elk or a mama bear with her cubs. But these awe-inspiring moments can quickly become dangerous.

Falls and slips account for nearly 50% of all hiking injuries and a large portion of these occur when trekkers get distracted by wildlife or make sudden movements.

Most trekkers don’t realize…

Wild animals are unpredictable. No matter how docile or cute they appear, any wild animal can become aggressive if it feels threatened or cornered. That’s why many modern trekking experiences like luxury sky domes are built in areas with a high likelihood of wildlife encounters so that trekkers can enjoy wild animal viewing from the safety of a protected platform.

Wildlife safety isn’t just about your safety as a trekker.

Human activity near wildlife already puts a lot of stress on the animals and can cause them to alter their natural behaviors and habits. Over time this stress can have serious negative impacts on animal populations and their habitats. Wildlife tourism accounts for 20-40% of the global tourism economy, which means our collective behavior as trekkers and tourists has a major impact on wild animals around the world.

The Safe Viewing Distances for Wildlife Viewing

Ok, let’s cut to the chase. How far away from wild animals should you be? The short answer is at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears, mountain lions and wolves.

If you’re having trouble visualizing this distance, here’s how to picture it:

• 25 yards = 2 school buses lined up
• 100 yards = a football field

Don’t sweat it if you’re bad at estimating distances. Here’s a simple trick I use…

Hold your arm out and put your thumb up. Now if you can cover the entire animal with your thumb, you’re a safe distance away.

Cool, right?

Of course, different animals require different distances and reactions. Predators like bears and mountain lions should be treated with the utmost respect and more space should be given to these animals than most. But this doesn’t mean that herbivores like elk, moose or bison are harmless. These animals are large and powerful and can be incredibly dangerous if they feel threatened by your proximity.

What to Do When You Encounter Wildlife

Picture this…You’re trekking through a beautiful forest and suddenly you see a bear up ahead. It’s only about 50 feet away. You freeze. Your heart’s beating a mile a minute. What do you do?

Don’t panic, here’s what to do…

1. Stay Calm and Do NOT Run

This is the worst thing you can do. Running away will trigger a predator’s chase instinct and suddenly you’ll look like prey to them. Instead of running, take a few slow deep breaths and try to remain calm and still. This will help you think more clearly and stay in control of the situation.

Try not to make direct eye contact as this can be seen as aggressive. Keep your movements slow and controlled.

2. Make Yourself Appear Bigger

If the animal hasn’t seen you yet, slowly start backing away. If it has seen you, slowly raise your arms over your head. Do this as slowly and calmly as possible. This will make you appear larger and more intimidating to the animal, signaling to it that you are not prey and you do not pose a threat.

If you’re with a group of people, stand close together. Speak in a firm, calm voice.

3. Give the Animal an Escape Route

Never try to corner a wild animal. No matter how big or powerful they are, they must always feel like they can escape from you. Try to move to the side so that you’re not directly in the animals’ path. Give the animal space to move away from you. Most wildlife encounters end peacefully because the wild animal simply walks away.

4. Use Bear Spray if Needed

Bear spray is one of the most effective ways to deter aggressive wildlife and will work on not only bears, but also mountain lions and other large predators. The key is to know how to use it before you need to use it. Practice removing the spray from its holster and know its range before you need it (usually 25-30 feet). You don’t want to be fumbling with your bear spray while you’re in a dangerous situation.

Don’t ever attempt to startle or chase wild animals. Predators are unpredictable and can react aggressively when startled. Keep your distance and be respectful of the animals’ space.

Essential Gear to Pack for Wildlife Viewing

Want to see wildlife up close and personal without actually being close to them? Grab a quality pair of binoculars or spotting scope. This gear will allow you to view wild animals in incredible detail without encroaching on their space.

Here’s what I recommend packing:

• Binoculars or spotting scope : To watch wildlife from a distance
• Bear spray : Your first line of defense against aggressive wildlife
• Noise makers : Bells or whistles to signal your presence to animals
• Camera with zoom lens : Take amazing wildlife photos without getting close

Making noise while trekking is actually a good thing.

Wild animals will often avoid you when you make noise, which reduces the chances of surprise encounters. Talk, sing or clap to make noise as you trek through dense forests and foliage.

Being a Responsible Trekker

Responsible trekkers are about more than just keeping themselves safe. They’re about keeping the wildlife safe too.

Never feed wild animals. This may seem like an obvious tip, but it needs to be said. Animals that become habituated to human food and handouts will lose their natural fear of humans and can become aggressive when seeking out human food sources. Always store your food in bear-proof containers or hang it from a tree when camping. Keep a clean camp and pack out all of your trash. This small piece of trash to you is a potential food source to an animal looking for an easy meal.

Stay on designated trails when trekking and camping. Trekking off trail disturbs wildlife habitats and puts you at higher risk of surprise animal encounters. By staying on trail, you’re respecting the homes of the animals that you came to see. Report any sick, injured or otherwise abnormal wildlife sightings to park rangers or wildlife officials.

Final Words

Wildlife encounters are one of the true highlights of any trekking trip. They’re moments that remind us why we love spending time in the great outdoors and connect us to the natural world around us. But they only work when we take safety seriously. Following proper safety distances, staying calm during animal encounters, packing the right gear, and respecting wild animals and their habitats, will allow you to have incredible wildlife sightings without putting anyone at risk.

Remember:

• Stay at least 25 yards from most wild animals and 100 yards from predators
• Use binoculars or zoom lenses for up-close views
• Never feed or approach wild animals
• Make noise to avoid surprise encounters

The wild animals that you see on your treks deserve to live in their natural habitats undisturbed. Part of your role as a trekker is to respect these animals by observing them from a safe distance and leaving no trace of your visit.