JACKSON, Wyo. — Local wildlife nonprofits are determined to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and prevent animals from accessing human food in Jackson Hole.
In an effort to educate visitors about how to address these issues, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and Grand Teton National Park Foundation collaborated to produce thousands of rear-view mirror and door hangers with the message “Don’t Feed, Don’t Speed.”
The placard also includes details about best practices for nighttime driving, speed limits and food storage along with quick tips to help ensure the safety of wildlife and people across Grand Teton and Jackson Hole.
According to the nonprofits, several rental car agencies are displaying these in their vehicles and many hotels in the park and in town have agreed to hang them on room doors and distribute them at their front desks.
“Data shows that the three-year average of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Teton County is 217 collisions per year, not including roadkill within Grand Teton National Park.”
Kyle Kissock, Communications Manager of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.
Another big issue that is a focus for Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation is illegal wildlife feeding on both public and private lands.
“People might have good intentions, but too often we’ve seen this result in the habituation and eventual mortality of an animal that learns to associate humans with an easy meal,” said Kissock.
The solution? Education, says Leslie Mattson, president at Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
“As visitation continues to increase to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, it is important that we help educate people about how to responsibly enjoy this incredible ecosystem,” Mattson said.
Feeding wildlife in Teton County is strictly prohibited and it is illegal in Grand Teton National Park. If you are a local business owner and would like to participate in this education campaign, reach out to Kyle Kissock via email.
