Respect Wildlife When Outdoors

✨Leave No Trace Friday! ✨ (Save this post for your next visit to the great outdoors!) We are onto Principle Number 6: Respect Wildlife! (If you’ve missed the previous five principles or want a recap there is a guide on my page with all of the posts for you to easily access!) Respecting wildlife starts with observing them from afar and quietly. Observing animals from afar means they should never be scared or forced to flee due to your presence. If you’re in a large group it’s wise to split up and stay quiet UNLESS you are in bear country where it is appropriate to make some noise to not startled the bears but let them know you are around. Don’t touch, approach, feed, or pick up animals. It causes loads of stress and can cause the parents of this animal to abandon them. Wildlife can also pass diseases through a bites, pecks, or scratches if you get to close or pick them up. It’s also vital to secure trash and food from wildlife and leave a minimum of 200 ft between your camp and water sources. Water is important for wildlife to have access to and by giving them plenty of space you are giving them ample opportunity to continue using their resource and keeping yourself out of potential danger. For more details about this principle visit @leavenotracecenter and/or LNT.org - Thank you @visitriorancho and @hiltongardeninn Rio Rancho for a wonderful stay in New Mexico! It was the perfect location for all of our adventures!