Wildlife Safety

Hoary marmots are often seen along the Harding Icefield Trail.

NPS Photo / R. Niebrugge

Please keep Kenai Fjords' animals wild by following these rules when encountering wildlife.

• Keep wildlife wild
  Do not feed or allow wildlife to obtain human foods. Learning to beg for and/or rely on human foods is extremely harmful for all wild animals, big or small. Be careful not to leave wrappers, crumbs, or other food trash after picnicking or snacking on the trails.

• Keep a clean camp
  Avoid setting up camp on or near game trails. Cook and eat away from your sleeping area. Store your food by locking it in your vehicle or using a bear-proof storage container.

• Keep your distance
  Do not approach or follow wildlife. Bring binoculars to enjoy viewing animals from a distance.
  • Stay 300 yards (300 meters) away from bears and maintain a minimum 25 yards (25 meters) distance from all other animals, dens, and nests.
  • As a general rule, remain at least 100 yards (100 meters) away from marine mammals. All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), facilitated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For more specifics, consult NOAA's Codes for Conduct.
• Don't harass wildlife
  Treat wildife with respect. If your presence alters an animal’s behavior, you are too close.
• Wildlife viewing from the road
  If you are driving in the park and wish to stop to view wildlife, be sure to pull as far out of the roadway as you safely can. If you cannot safely exit the roadway, drive past the wildlife and look for a safe spot to park or turn around. Do not stop in the middle of the road!