Common sense in the parks and forests

This article details a multiple moose charge incident in Glacier National Park in early September of 2010:

http://www.parkcamper.​com/common-sense-in-the-parks.htm

There are photos of the incident as well. Not a fun story!

Common sense is the least common of all the senses.

Sadly the vast majority of people just have no education or basic upbringing in the wilderness - even very obvious signs that an animal can give can often be totally ignored.
I also think there is an even more scary group who don't quite understand the difference between a caged/domesticated animal (and very docile ones at that) and a wild animal - and the fact that parklands do not keep tame animals. This means that not only are they blind to an animals signals, but also blind to the fact that the animal can pose a risk to themselves. This is especially true in cases like moose and deer where the animal is a herbivore and thus "perceived" to be safe.

Wow Mike.

I'm always amazed at stories like this. Very very scary.

My wife and I were in the Tetons last year and found ourselves trapped on the side of Two Ocean Lake by a female moose that some idgits chased out of the woods. These two people were literally chasing this moose...she ran out of the woods into the lake and they ran out after her with cameras.

Tracie and I were standing about 100 yards from the female moose and were excited to see her but not excited that she was standing in the only known exit area from the lake. The two camera toting idgits finally left and the female moose decided to meander our way.

We found ourselves moving (slowly) away from her but eventually ran out of shoreline. Luckily, we found a nice and steep trail off the lake and started up it. By the time we made it up to the top of the trail, the female moose was at the bottom of the trail looking at us from about 20 yards away.

Here' a few shots from that encounter. These are all full-frame.

Shots 3 & 4 are after we climbed the trail...she was standing at the bottom of it looking at us.

We never felt in danger here but I was doing everything I could to put space between this moose and us. Don't ever want to be in that situation again.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ericbrown/39573​49540/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ericbrown/39565​72049/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ericbrown/39565​72241/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ericbrown/39565​72399/

It's horrible how people can be not only ignorant, but so disrespectful of wildlife. While clearly not the same situation, when I was on a whale watch recently we had a calf who was basically just floating within feet (and I do mean feet, probably about 10-20') from the stern of the boat. It seemed to be curious about the boat and was taking it's time looking it over. Imagine my surprise when one of the people on my right decided to dispose of his cigarette by flicking it overboard right next to the calf. I was extremely upset to say the least and he did get a talking to. The thing that really gets me is that before the boat leaves the dock an announcement is made telling people they can smoke, but to dispose of the butts in the trash (after they've been put out of course) because they are harmful to the environment. Still, this guy thought nothing of throwing it right next to a whale... a baby one at that! People just amaze me..

Anyway, thanks for sharing your story. I'm in the process of researching moose watching tours up my way because I'm hoping to go on one fairly soon. I want to make sure I pick one that does respect these animals and will not intentionally disturb and/or disrespect them.