We’ve all read articles or seen photos of overly eager tourists. They descend on our National Parks with wildly unrealistic expectations. At times, these “tourons” (tourist + moron = tourons) take dangerous risks in the hope that they’ll get to pet or take a close-up photo of themselves with one of the park’s many wild animals.
This irresponsible and often dangerous behavior isn’t new. It’s been happening for years. You’d think folks would learn from others’ mistakes, but you’d be wrong. Just search “Touron” on YouTube and you’ll see plenty of examples.
This spring, several park visitors have put themselves in harm’s way with close encounters between themselves and wild elk, moose, buffalo, and more.
Official park rangers and responsible park visitors often remind tourists of the certain dangers they face through their reckless actions. Not only do they risk personal injury, but many tourists are slapped with a fine or even banned from the park entirely!
Signage at every National Park warns folks to stay a safe distance from all animals. (The distance may range from 25 to 100 yards.) Park brochures and informational pamphlets also attempt to reinforce the potential dangers when people enter a wild animal’s habitat.
However, no amount of warnings seems to make a difference for some visitors. So, this week, Two Bear Air Rescue released their latest public service video.
In the short clip, they depict what seems to happen on a daily basis: tourists getting dangerously close to our National Park’s wild animals. Watch and laugh… but take the lesson with you as you travel.
Please click the “Watch on YouTube” button below to play the video.
##RVT1162
You had me at the random tattoos.
I guess I just don’t understand how you tube works. I could not find the article you referenced. I am used to just clicking on the blue line in your article and getting the information I am looking for.. I am not interested in clicking on a link to get to another link that I have to click on.
Sorry, Gary. That’s how that video is set up, so that we can’t post it directly in our article. I’ll see if I can link directly to the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/yXc2b-A5aS4?feature=shared If that doesn’t work for you, all you need to do is click where it says to Watch on YouTube, and that will take you right to the video, hopefully. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Very funny, but also ridiculous that people need to be told to avoid contact with WILDlife. Oh well. At least I’m not from Florida. 😉 Thanks again, have a great wesk, and SAFE travels! 🙂