Footage has surfaced from India, showing three men fleeing from charging elephants after they had tried to capture selfies with the massive pachyderms.
In Yellowstone National Park, tourists often approach bison in the hope of capturing closeup images, and many have ended up in a hospital.
Apparently, in Indian forests, tourists have found an even larger animal with which to play this game of who can get closest for a selfie.
The accompanying footage, tweeted by Susanta Nanda of the Indian Forest Service, shows three men running for their lives from elephants that did not appreciate their company.
“For having a selfie, they not only do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm,” Nanda wrote.
For having a selfie, they not only do foolish things,but do them with enthusiasm… pic.twitter.com/rMoFzaHrL3
Asked by FTW Outdoors if any of the men were injured, Nanda joked: “It was pure bad luck for the elephants. All of [the men] escaped without any major injuries.”
As with bison, the largest land mammals in North America, Indian elephants are massive critters that appear docile most times, but are dangerously unpredictable.
Reads one of the comments beneath Nanda’s post: “Encroaching wildlife and their habitat is not only dangerous but also a crime. Where are the forest guards on duty?”
Footage has surfaced showing a dingo nipping a French tourist on the rump on Australia’s Fraser Island. Are the feral dogs becoming too bold?
Footage has surfaced showing a dingo nipping a French tourist on the backside on Fraser Island in Australia.
The incident occurred weeks before a 10-year-old boy was dragged underwater by a dingo while he camped with family on the island.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, which has issued warnings about the feral canines, said the boy was walking alone when he was attacked on June 16.
He was held underwater briefly before his 12-year-old sister rushed to the rescue. The boy suffered puncture wounds but was not seriously injured.
The dingo involved in that attack was not euthanized.
The French tourist was bitten as she sunbathed at Eurong on the eastern side of Fraser Island. The incident occurred in late April or May, according to ABC Australia.
The dingo had already attacked other tourists and a decision was made to euthanize the animal.
As Fraser Island prepares for a busy tourist season, officials are concerned that dingoes are becoming too fearless around humans.
–Footage courtesy of the Department of Environment and Science
“This young bison was sleeping on the outskirts of it’s herd when it was caught off guard by a group of wolves. Separated from the herd, I thought for sure the wolves were on their way to securing an easy meal.
“Then, seemingly out of no where, two adult bison from the nearby herd came barreling onto the scene to protect the youngster, almost trampling the calf in the process.”
Wolves in Yellowstone prey on bison calves – along with elk, deer and other mammals – and have been known to attack adult bison if an animal appears vulnerable.
Bison are the largest land mammals in North America and can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. More than 5,000 bison inhabit Yellowstone National Park.
–Generic bison image courtesy of NPS/Yellowstone National Park
Outdoorsy people flock to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, for its water activities, remote forest hikes, whale watching, and Indigenous culture. Management organization Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) is protecting these natural and cultural resources. In March, DGV earned Biosphere Certification, making Greater Victoria the first urban destination in Canada or the United States to receive this honor. The Responsible Tourism Institute, which awards this certification, recognizes destinations that demonstrate extreme commitment to environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, equity, and social responsibility.
The team celebrates the new certification. / Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria
“I am so proud of the hard work that our committee has done since forming in 2020, and of Destination Greater Victoria’s dedication to sustainability, despite so many challenges our industry faced during this time,” Erin Cassels, chair of DGV’s Sustainability Committee and the general manager of Huntingdon Manor and Pendray Inn and Tea House, said in a statement. “It is incredible to see the values of so many tourism stakeholders in Victoria align and commit to a future in which we have the most positive impact on our home community as possible.”
The Responsible Tourism Institute has four ranks: Committed, Certified, Gold Certified, and Platinum Certified. Currently, only 45 destinations around the world have earned Biosphere certification. Many of these locations are in Spain and Portugal. In Canada, the Northern B.C. Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island are all Biosphere Certified.
Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Vancouver
Greater Victoria includes the city of Victoria, plus other Vancouver Island communities like Saanich, Sooke, and the Gulf Islands. Tourism adds $2.3 billion annually to the economy. As more people prioritize sustainability in their travel decisions, Biosphere certification could become even more important — especially for industry meetings and events.
“The landscape of the business events sector is evolving, and conferences and major events are increasingly seeking tangible evidence of a destination’s dedication to sustainability,” Emma C. Parston, a partner at events specialty company Connect Seven Group, said in a statement. “Biosphere certification marks a significant achievement for Destination Greater Victoria, providing international recognition of ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability practices, as well as a strong foundation for a local sustainable supplier network to create and attract more sustainable events in and to the destination.”
Photo courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria
In addition to the region as a whole being certified, DGV’s member businesses can also get individual Biosphere certifications. So far, 12 Victoria area businesses are participating in the program. DGV hopes to get the number up to 60 by the end of 2023.
Yellowstone National Park opened a 49-mile stretch of connecting roads for spring bicycling Wednesday, but asked visitors to consider several factors before planning their ride.
Yellowstone National Park opened a 49-mile stretch of connecting roads for spring bicycling Wednesday, but asked visitors to consider several factors before planning their ride.
Among considerations, of course, are potential encounters with grizzly bears that have emerged from hibernation. (The park logged its first grizzly bear sighting of 2021 on March 13.)
The road segments are the West Entrance to Madison Junction, Madison Junction to Norris Junction, and Norris Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs.
If weather permits, two additional roads will open for cycling before all interior roads begin reopening for automobile traffic on April 16. (The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Mt., to Cooke City, Mt., is open year-round.)
Bison on the road in Yellowstone National Park. Photo: NPS
Snow has begun to melt at lower elevations but weather inside the park is unpredictable and wintry conditions can return with little notice throughout spring.
But beyond weather and bears, several possible hazards (or inconveniences) might come into play for spring cyclists. In a news released issued Wednesday, cautioning cyclists to “anticipate hazards,” Yellowstone listed the potential dangers:
Snowplows and other motorized vehicles operated by park employees or construction workers on the road.
Quickly changing weather conditions.
Temporary road closures due to weather conditions.
Snow and ice covering sections of road.
Wildlife on roads.
No services available, except limited restrooms.
Stay safe while cycling in Yellowstone by following these guidelines:
Ride during daylight hours only.
Anticipate encountering bears, bison, elk, wolves, and other wildlife.
Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Prepare to wait or turn around if bison or other wildlife are on the road.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Stay out of closed areas.
Ride single-file and follow all other rules of the road.
Plan for self-rescue or repair. Cell phone coverage throughout the park is sparse and unreliable for communicating emergencies.
Prepare to spend an extended period of time in winter conditions in the event of a mechanical breakdown, injury, or other emergency.
Yellowstone’s fall bicycling season typically begins when roads close to automobile traffic in early November. It ends two or three weeks later when plowing operations cease to allow snow to accumulate for over-snow travel.
Yellowstone National Park issued a warning to visitors that the elk mating season has begun and the animals can be “extremely dangerous” during this period.
Yellowstone National Park is warning visitors that the elk mating season has begun and the animals can be “extremely dangerous.”
The elk rut, as it’s called, runs from early September through mid-October. Bull elk can be heard bugling to announce their availability to females, and while challenging rival males. Dominant males are fiercely protective as they form and guard harems.
Violent clashes between elk occur, and visitors are cautioned not to get between or close to the animals.
“Stay alert!People have been severely injured by elk,” Yellowstone stated in a news release issued Friday. “Elk run quickly and may change direction without warning. If an elk charges you, find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible.”
Elk are the most abundant large mammal species inside the park, which provides summer refuge for between 10,000 and 20,000 elk. Primary congregation areas during the rut are in the northern region, notably Mammoth Hot Springs and the Madison River.
Bull elk can weigh 700 pounds and measure five feet at the shoulder; female elk are slightly smaller.
Tourists often approach elk during the rut, despite warnings, and there have been serious consequences.
In September 2018, a tourist captured video footage showing a bull elk knocking a man to the ground with its antlers.
As the park stipulates, visitors are responsible for their own safety. Guidelines state that visitors should remain at least 25 yards from elk at all times.
–Images are courtesy of Yellowstone National Park (top) and Pete Thomas
