“We advise keeping at least 120 feet (36 meters) or about three bus-lengths away from black bears, moose, and mountain lions. Stay safe and never assume you are the one that can get away with a close encounter.” –Rocky Mountain National Park
Mind numbing idiocy out of Rocky Mountain National Park where a mother caught on camera filming her daughter approaching a moose well within the recommended 120 foot distance for safe observation. Getting this close to wild moose in dangerous in general but when you factor in the moose in the video is a juvenile, the risk increases significantly. Cow moose are extremely defensive of their young and getting between one and her calf can trigger an attack. This is a textbook example of what not to do if you see a moose in the wild:
What if I really want the perfect photo?
The popularity of selfies and capturing any moment through photographs or video is posing a new threat to wildlife and humans. Trigger-happy tourists have started to provoke animals, and in some instances, alter their behaviors as a result. Quietly watching from a distance can be even more rewarding than getting the perfect shot. Perhaps you even came here to “get away” from a busy lifestyle and technology. So, use your zoom or a telephoto lens, or put your camera down and take a moment to really appreciate what you see.
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