Grand Teton Nationwide Park stands as considered one of most stunning public lands occupying practically 310,000 acres of pristine mountains, lakes, and plains together with the main peaks of the Teton Vary and the northern half of the valley of Jackson Gap.
The park is wealthy with wildlife together with a inhabitants of roughly 600 bison as of early 2025. Grand Teton’s bison inhabitants exhibit localized seasonal actions moderately than long-distance migrations. Throughout the winter month, the Teton Herd strikes to decrease elevations close to the Nationwide Elk Refuge and areas round Moose, Kelly, and Jackson to keep away from heavy snow and entry forage.
Grand Teton’s major roadways are additionally generally the trail of least resistance for the bison because the meander to decrease elevations the place they pose a danger to themselves and winter motorists. In response to the potential conflicts, Grand Teton Nationwide Park has issued a public service announcement for drivers to be alert to the presence of bison on Freeway US 26,89, and 191. Be protected on the market of us and drive sluggish round these majestic animals.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK PSA:
Consideration drivers! Be alert for bison on Hwy 26/89/191. Bison are migrating south for the winter, crossing the freeway within the s-curves between Triangle X Ranch and Snake River Overlook. If disrupted by visitors, bison might stray onto the highway. Deep snow makes roads their best journey route.
-Keep Alert: Look ahead to bison and different wildlife on park roads.
-Gradual Down: Cut back velocity in wildlife corridors, particularly at night time.
-Be Affected person: If bison are crossing, await the herd to move earlier than continuing.
-Keep away from Distractions: Preserve your concentrate on the highway.
-Report Sightings: Name park dispatch (307-739-3301) if bison are on the highway so we may also help information them safely.
Let’s work collectively to guard our wildlife and make sure the security of everybody on the highway. Your actions could make a distinction!
- Use binoculars, recognizing scopes or lengthy lenses for shut views and pictures. All the time keep a protected distance of at the very least 100 yards from wolves and bears, and at the very least 25 yards from all different wildlife.
- By no means place your self between an grownup and its offspring. Females with younger are particularly defensive.
- It’s unlawful to feed wildlife, together with floor squirrels and birds. Feeding wild animals makes them depending on individuals, and animals usually chunk the hand that feeds them.
- Don’t harass wildlife. Harassment is any human motion that causes uncommon conduct, or a change of conduct, in an animal. Repeated encounters with individuals can have adverse, long-term impacts on wildlife, together with elevated ranges of stress and the avoidance of important feeding areas.
- Nesting birds are simply disturbed. For wildlife, elevating younger is a personal affair. If an grownup chook on a nest flies off at your method, or circles you or screams in alarm, you’re too near the nest. Unattended nestlings readily succumb to predation and publicity to warmth, chilly, and moist climate.
- Enable different guests an opportunity to get pleasure from wildlife. In case your actions trigger an animal to flee, you’ve gotten disadvantaged different guests of a viewing alternative. Use an animal’s conduct as a information to your actions.
