New Instagram Filter Promotes Safe Wildlife Viewing in National Parks

In an innovative approach to wildlife conservation and visitor safety, the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board has introduced a novel Instagram filter called "Selfie Control." This digital tool, launched in May 2023, aims to assist visitors in maintaining safe distances from wildlife in national parks, particularly in Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

The National Park Service recommends keeping a distance of 25 yards from animals like moose, elk, and bison, and 100 yards from bears. However, estimating these distances can be challenging, especially when using a camera. The "Selfie Control" filter addresses this issue by providing visual cues for five local species: bison, elk, moose, black bears, and grizzly bears.

Crista Valentino, executive director of the tourism board, explained, "We are not discouraging people from seeing these animals, but we are trying to give them the tools to do it more responsibly and in a way that adheres to the guidelines in these wild places."

The filter's introduction comes at a crucial time, as national parks have seen a surge in visitors. In 2022, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, welcomed over 4.5 million visitors, the second-highest number on record. This increased foot traffic has led to more human-wildlife conflicts, raising concerns among conservationists and park officials.

Chamois Anderson, a senior representative of the Defenders of Wildlife, emphasized the importance of following park rules: "We need to abide by the rules of the park, because the wildlife could be potentially harmful to humans. You just never know when they're going to react in a negative way."

Recent incidents highlight the dangers of disregarding wildlife safety guidelines. In June 2023, a bison in Yellowstone gored an 83-year-old woman, and in August 2023, a black bear attacked a child near Custer National Forest in Montana. These events underscore the need for tools like "Selfie Control" to promote responsible wildlife viewing.

"Stress is probably more of a detrimental factor than the few times we actually have to euthanize animals for being aggressive."

The "Selfie Control" filter is being promoted throughout Jackson Hole and surrounding areas. Since its debut, thousands of people have downloaded it. The tourism board hopes that other wildlife areas worldwide will adopt and customize the open-source technology to suit their local fauna needs.

As park visitation continues to grow, tools like "Selfie Control" play a crucial role in balancing wildlife conservation with public enjoyment of natural spaces. By leveraging popular social media platforms like Instagram, which was launched in 2010, conservationists are finding innovative ways to educate and engage visitors in responsible wildlife viewing practices.