Wildlife Babies

How to safely and ethically view wildlife in Rocky this spring

by Barb Boyer Buck

Wildlife sightings in Rocky Mountain National Park are exciting and rewarding experiences for the millions of people who visit the Park every year. There are a total of 67 mammal species in the Park, including the popular elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. These are joined by more than 270 species of birds and numerous fish, insects, amphibians, and reptiles who make their home in Rocky.

Most of the larger animals are habituated to humans and tend to go about their business unperturbed by the crowds of people who are viewing them in this setting, This can give the impression they are being managed solely to provide viewing opportunities for visitors. But while Park officials try to provide these opportunities safely, the natural behaviors of these wild animals are not at all restricted.

Mama elk with twins in Rocky

Photo by Brad Manard

It is up to each and every Park visitor to understand and mitigate for the dangers of viewing wildlife in close proximity.

“We need to see ourselves as part of the system, and recognize our impact on these animals,” said Hanem Abouelezz in an exclusive interview with HIKE ROCKY magazine. Our actions can have unintended consequences for these animals, especially in the “sensitive season” of spring.

Canada goose with goslings at Sprague Lake

Photo by Pamela Johnson

Hanem Abouelezz became the landscape ecologist for RMNP in 2015 and has been working for the Department of the Interior since 2006. Her background is in wildlife ecology, but she also manages vegetation and habitat programs in the Park. She is leading the willow rehabilitation efforts in RMNP and manages a moose research project, tracking their population growth since the animal's reintroduction in the late 1970s. Both of these efforts were covered in HIKE ROCKY magazine's April edition.

Baby marmots in Rocky

Photo by Darlene Bushue

Rocky is managed as a wilderness on behalf of the people of the United States. It's a national treasure; the varied wildlife that make their home in this area are the crown jewels. The many wildlife babies who begin to make their appearance this month are the glittering gems.

But these jewels are not displayed under glass in a museum, where millions can take in their beauty without harming them. The only way to manage a wilderness and all the organisms that live in the Park is to maintain the natural balance. Humans became part of this balancing act in 1915, when Rocky was first established. Over the past 100-plus years, it's been Park officials' jobs to make sure nothing reaches a tipping point.

Remember the movie, Jurassic Park? A very wealthy eccentric creates a wildlife preserve from previously extinct dinosaur species, all “safely” enclosed as a sort of zoo or amusement park. That plan backfired with tragic consequences for the humans who a attempted to view these animals. The failure in that story was the lack of respect for the natural instincts and sheer size of the dinosaurs, among whom we probably could not coexist today.

Whiteail deer fawn in the Kawanuchee Valley

Photo by Pamela Johnson

In real life, we are very lucky to have so many of these wild animals in Rocky and the surrounding communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake, and that they are habituated to our presence to a certain extent. Nevertheless, these animals remain wild and their behavior can be unpredictable.

A newborn elk calf in Rocky

Photo by Rick Martinez

From coyotes “escorting” humans out of the area when people get too close to their dens to elk with newborn calves charging a group of people yards away - when babies are involved, every creature in Rocky becomes over-protective.

Wildlife viewing guidelines on Rocky's website suggest a minimum of 75 feet of distance while viewing elk and bighorn sheep, and staying 120 feet away from a bear or moose. In the video included with this article (see magazine edition), Abouelezz answers some of the most-asked questions about wildlife viewing and gives a healthy perspective on our role as humans in this ecosystem.

NPS graphic

There are pretty steep fines for violating the federal laws that govern visitation in Rocky. If you bring your dog on a trail, you will be levied a $100 fine. If you intentionally get too close, disturb, try to pet, or feed wildlife in the Park, that's a $200 ticket. If you don't store your food properly from bears, that's a violation that will cost you at least $100.

Baby moose in Rocky

Photo by Rick Martinez

Park rangers are authorized to issue these fines, even court summons, and to tailor these penalties to fit the crime. You can't view wildlife with artificial light (including vehicle lights), or use animals calls (including elk bugles).

These restrictions are designed to offer each of these animals a fighting chance to survive their breeding and mating seasons, and to equip animal populations with resources they need to survive winters in the harsh, high-elevation ecosystems they inhabit.

Elk calf with mother

Photo by Darlene Bushue

“People who visit Rocky on a bright, sunny day in July may not realize these animals live here all year,” Abouelezz said, “They need to remain wild to be healthy and thrive.”

Mama and baby marmot at Forest Canyon Overlook.

Photo by Pamela Johnson

A stressed animal might not forage as much as it needs to; a female elk may not produce enough milk and as a result, her calves might not survive past a couple of months, she said.

Wild animals need their space. They need to eat the food they find in the wild to stay healthy year-round. They need access to water and easy escape routes. They need to cross roadways. This time of year, they need to be able to adequately care for their newborns without the undue stress of people who get to close to them.

We've all gotten a lesson in social distancing over the past year. Let's give our wildlife, which is so tolerant of our presence, that same respect and consideration.

Barb Boyer Buck is a professional writer, journalist, editor, photographer, playwright, and researcher who lives in Estes Park. Barb is the managing editor of HIKE ROCKY online magazine.

Rick Martinez is a photographer and videographer living in Estes Park. He also conducts photo tours in Rocky. Find out more on his website or Facebook page: https://rmdigitalproductions.myshopify.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RMDigitalProductions

Darlene Bushue is a landscape and wildlife photographer from Allenspark, CO. darlenebushuephotography.com facebook.com/darlenebushuephotography

Brad Manard has been coming to Estes Park and RMNP since he was a kid fifty years ago. bradmanard.smugmug.com.

“ I am a third generation Colorado native living in Westminster. Living so close to Rocky is truly a blessing and great therapy for the mind, body and soul. ” - Pamela Johnson

Wildflowers are grouped by color and subdivided as plant families. Both common and scientific names are provided to avoid confusion. Additional help comes from the information on life zones, habitat, characteristics, and season. • Covers 128 of the alpine tundra’s most common wildflowers • Detailed photos for easy identification • The latest classifications for serious wildflower lovers.

Purchase at https://rmconservancy.org/product/rocky-mountain-wildflowers/