Guidelines for Wildlife Viewing

Guidelines for Wildlife Viewing

Alaska offers some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Over 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals are known to occur in the state. In Southeast Alaska, species such as bald eagles can be observed with ease and in numbers unknown in most other areas of the nation. But please respect these wild animals and help maintain high-quality wildlife viewing experiences for others in the future.

People who enjoy watching and photographing wildlife can sometimes harm wildlife unintentionally. Most animals react with alarm when approached by humans on foot or in any type of vehicle. Depending on the situation, an animal may remain, flee, or in some cases, attack.

Such reactions are stressful and cause the animal to expend energy. Although an animal might easily compensate for the energy cost of a single, short disturbance, prolonged or repeated disturbances may add up to higher costs than an animal can afford.

Repeated disturbance may cause wildlife to avoid an area, even if the area provides the best food, nesting site, or source of essential minerals. Even a single disturbance during nesting season might be harmful to sensitive species such as loons.

How Observing Good Wildlife Viewer Etiquette Benefits You and Wildlife

Your chances increase of getting a really good look at a wild animal, or a wildlife experience of a lifetime.
Wildlife will continue to use important habitat areas and produce
more wildlife.

Additional Information on Wildlife Viewing:

Tips For Wildlife Viewing in
Southeast Alaska
Wildlife Viewing From a Boat
Found Treasures--What Can You Keep
Once Ashore...Wildlife Viewing On the Beach

Updated March 16, 2001

Home | Recreation | Wildlife Viewing

Alaska offers some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Over 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals are known to occur in the state. In Southeast Alaska, species such as bald eagles can be observed with ease and in numbers unknown in most other areas of the nation. But please respect these wild animals and help maintain high-quality wildlife viewing experiences for others in the future.
People who enjoy watching and photographing wildlife can sometimes harm wildlife unintentionally. Most animals react with alarm when approached by humans on foot or in any type of vehicle. Depending on the situation, an animal may remain, flee, or in some cases, attack.
Such reactions are stressful and cause the animal to expend energy. Although an animal might easily compensate for the energy cost of a single, short disturbance, prolonged or repeated disturbances may add up to higher costs than an animal can afford.
Repeated disturbance may cause wildlife to avoid an area, even if the area provides the best food, nesting site, or source of essential minerals. Even a single disturbance during nesting season might be harmful to sensitive species such as loons.
How Observing Good Wildlife Viewer Etiquette Benefits You and Wildlife Your chances increase of getting a really good look at a wild animal, or a wildlife experience of a lifetime. Wildlife will continue to use important habitat areas and produce more wildlife.