How to handle people harrassing wildlife

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Most people's visceral reaction to being told "you shouldn't be doing that" is hostility, even if at some level they really know that what they are doing is wrong. In my admittedly limited experience with these kinds of situations, I have found the best and possibly only path to successfully stopping the questionable behavior is "distract, befriend, and suggest." You maybe can engage in a brief conversation that ends with the offending person thinking that being considerate of the wild animal is his/her own idea. Yeah, it's a longshot, but the alternative is (usually) being perceived as illegitimately trying to exert authority you don't have.

My only memorable story in this regard was that one time my son and I were birding and taking photographs at a beach in San Diego, and there was a roosting area for terns and other birds. A woman was walking her dog and the dog kept running towards the flock of birds so that they would all fly up, circle around, and come back down. Over and over. So I tried to quietly suggest to the woman that maybe this was a situation where her dog should be on its leash. Her response was haughty and dismissive ("And you are with WHAT AGENCY?") Unfortunately, my son was more aggressive verbally and the exchange turned a bit ugly before she and the dog stormed off.

I reported this issue to the local Audubon chapter, suggesting that maybe if there were a sign warning against bothering the birds some people would heed it. A few months later I got an email from an Audubon official that included a photo of the new sign :).

Let me add that most people, I think, try to be considerate of wildlife, and that, as my fourth grade teacher used to say (over and over), "a few people spoil things for everybody."
 
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GrandNagus50 said:
Most people's visceral reaction to being told "you shouldn't be doing that" is hostility, even if at some level they really know that what they are doing is wrong. In my admittedly limited experience with these kinds of situations, I have found the best and possibly only path to successfully stopping the questionable behavior is "distract, befriend, and suggest." You maybe can engage in a brief conversation that ends with the offending person thinking that being considerate of the wild animal is his/her own idea. Yeah, it's a longshot, but the alternative is (usually) being perceived as illegitimately trying to exert authority you don't have.

My only memorable story in this regard was that one time my son and I were birding and taking photographs at a beach in San Diego, and there was a roosting area for terns and other birds. A woman was walking her dog and the dog kept running towards the flock of birds so that they would all fly up, circle around, and come back down. Over and over. So I tried to quietly suggest to the woman that maybe this was a situation where her dog should be on its leash. Her response was haughty and dismissive ("And you are with WHAT AGENCY?") Unfortunately, my son was more aggressive verbally and the exchange turned a bit ugly before she and the dog stormed off.

I reported this issue to the local Audubon chapter, suggesting that maybe if there were a sign warning against bothering the birds some people would heed it. A few months later I got an email from an Audubon official that included a photo of the new sign :).

Let me add that most people, I think, try to be considerate of wildlife, and that, as my fourth grade teacher used to say (over and over), "a few people spoil things for everybody."
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I'm glad that reporting it led to a positive improvement.
 
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Geoff_G said:
SOmetimes keeping your mouth shut is the right thing (especially in today's environment). I think you made a wise choice given the company she had.....
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It is really sad that being advised just to let people continue to do stupid and potentially dangerous things is becoming the norm, mainly to avoid a violent response. I discussed a case of an aggressive tailgater to a highway patrolman, his advise was just get out of their way let them do their thing. Like a spoiled brat that is never held accountable for their behavior, the behavior just continues. Seems not quite enough that we have to rely on karma to set things right.
One tool that can be used is social media, especially since so many are basing their lives on the number of clicks and likes. Everyone has cameras, so most of the time it would be hard to identify the picture taker. But posting bad behavior on social media with commentary is an option.
I like wotan1's comment that our nature photography is a powerful tool that "promotes an understanding and appreciation for the value of having wild creatures share our planet". We need to keep at it.
 
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Experience has taught me to chose battles wisely. Every situation is different and while the clueless people trying to get selfies with wildlife or pose children on the backs of bears warrant a firm response, the yahoos killing snakes require a more delicate approach lest one ends up with slashed tires. Been there, done that. Also had plant poachers draw guns on me. Got their license number, tracked down national park ranger who called back up and gave them a ride to jail and a felony because it was illegal to posses a firearm in a NP at the time. Consider your own safety first.
 
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I always address the people involved and overall the adults are no better behaved than small children. If I say nothing I am in effect condoning their behavior and indirectly encouraging it.

With people spending most of their time indoors or at groomed parks that are wildlife deserts, they lack exposure to nature and do not develop an awareness or a connection. Smartphones have made this much worse with children roaming around with earbuds so even if in a natural setting they are cut off from it.

I was used to going off and spending days in the mountains and deserts of California. When I joined the Boy Scouts and went on the first overnight outing I was appalled at all the boys running around and screaming at the top of their lungs and the adults not bothering to provide any adult supervision. That was my last time spent with that organization. I appreciate that the Boy Scouts is a good way to indoctrinate boys and prepare them for the military but it is not a good way to provide an awareness or appreciation of the natural world.
 
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NWGuy said:
... I like wotan1's comment that our nature photography is a powerful tool that "promotes an understanding and appreciation for the value of having wild creatures share our planet". We need to keep at it.
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That's the conventional wisdom but with the social media age there's the opposite argument. People see cool images/video of wildlife posted on-line and try to replicate it. With their cell phone. The only way to get a cell phone image of an owl that's equivalent to 800mm with an ILC is to get right up to it.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
That's the conventional wisdom but with the social media age there's the opposite argument. People see cool images/video of wildlife posted on-line and try to replicate it. With their cell phone. The only way to get a cell phone image of an owl that's equivalent to 800mm with an ILC is to get right up to it.
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Yes, but those people are idiots. So, lacking wildlife photos as an inspiration, they'd just be doing something else idiotic.
 
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wotan1 said:
People can be crazy and potentially violent if confronted. Getting in their face can be personally dangerous.

The human species is to put it mildly not kind to wildlife. For those interested in this subject I recommend the book "The Sixth Extinction".

The point I am making is that the problem is much greater than a single individual and you are not going to solve it by confronting one person.

Your wildlife photography promotes an understanding and appreciation for the value of having wild creatures share our planet. Be safe and keep supplying light to pixels.
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That's a good, if not troubling, read.
 
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I don't remember who this quote is from but it is wise advice (this a paraphrase maybe not exact words). "Never argue with a fool. He will drag you down to his level and then beat you with experience."

With the bear story at Great Smoky Mountains, the ranger happened to be a couple miles down the road, traffic was slow and the ranger knew the bear cubs so he pulled the RV over. I imagine all he did was gave them a stern talking to but hopefully it worked.

2 Septembers ago, my wife and I were in the Smoky Mountains photographing elk in the rut. The number of people who tried to walk up to 800 pounds of testosterone fueled muscle, dagger sharp antler tines and sharp hooves so that they could get a cell phone photo was astonishing. Rangers were busy trying to keep elk and people apart. If an elk stomped one of them into something resembling raspberry jelly, it would unfortunately have ended the elk's life too. I didn't need to gather photos or tell rangers as one was standing there chatting with me as he was taking a break to allow another ranger to run after elk and people. There was another location in the park where the people were much better behaved, much smaller number of people and elk in a more natural setting. We also saw a number of elk in fields alongside the roads and several were within telephoto lens range of pull outs where we were the only people there. It wasn't all a circus but around the visitor center well, I would avoid that scene if we go again.

I have no interest in arguing with someone or getting in an altercation that may end up with one of us using lethal force. Just not worth it. Notify law enforcement and be on your way. As busy as police and rangers are, they likely will not do anything about it either.
 
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Calson said:
I always address the people involved and overall the adults are no better behaved than small children. If I say nothing I am in effect condoning their behavior and indirectly encouraging it.
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Don't forget that no good deed goes unpunished. While you may be doing the right thing, don't be surprised if it leads to an extremely unpleasant situation. Unless you're prepared to deal with someone who may react violently do not confront them. Society is not what it was in the 1950s when people in general were more polite in public and less self-centered. Now being a jerk and/or violent is rewarded in some circles and you have no idea what the jerk's mind-set may be or anything about their background -- remember many murderers have a history of cruelty to animals. I recall the arrest of an individual for furnishing alcohol to minors (a relatively minor offense) who had previously violently struck his best friend in the larynx with a pipe, a potentially lethal blow. Usually jerks are just jerks, but sometimes they're much more and you don't know which is which.
 
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"Never argue with a fool. He will drag you down to his level and then beat you with experience." Sounds like Mark Twain.
I agree you have to be careful. Nothing worst than trying to educate someone on proper interactions with wildlife, than getting your $12,000.00 Nikon camera rig smashed in the process.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
.... People see cool images/video of wildlife posted on-line and try to replicate it. With their cell phone. The only way to get a cell phone image of an owl that's equivalent to 800mm with an ILC is to get right up to it.
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Bad behavior and proper equipment aren't mutually exclusive. A few years ago a 'wildlife' photographer with a 600mm lens was getting lots of action photos of waterfowl and was basking in the attention of all the 'likes'. Turns out he and a friend were working as a team, one repeatedly driving the birds toward the other who was waiting with the camera.
 
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Woody Meristem said:
Society is not what it was in the 1950s when people in general were more polite in public and less self-centered.
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That may be the case, but today's increased propensity towards impoliteness is also amplified by improved communication, often on social media.

So many people today have no shame, and even seem to harbor pride in actions and behaviors that cause decent mannered people significant pause.

As far as how to handle harrassment of wildlife, I adhere to the following rule set whenever I'm able. 1) Record. 2) Report. 3) Testify as requested.
 
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Doug Herr said:
Bad behavior and proper equipment aren't mutually exclusive. A few years ago a 'wildlife' photographer with a 600mm lens was getting lots of action photos of waterfowl and was basking in the attention of all the 'likes'. Turns out he and a friend were working as a team, one repeatedly driving the birds toward the other who was waiting with the camera.
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There was a case some time ago of a well-known photo guide in Florida who was using his boat to harrass Snail Kites; it didn't end so well for him.
 
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Doug Herr said:
Bad behavior and proper equipment aren't mutually exclusive. A few years ago a 'wildlife' photographer with a 600mm lens was getting lots of action photos of waterfowl and was basking in the attention of all the 'likes'. Turns out he and a friend were working as a team, one repeatedly driving the birds toward the other who was waiting with the camera.
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That's the other end of the spectrum. Over the years I've encountered quite a few people who seem to think that once your camera kit reaches a certain dollar value you're no longer subject to the same laws/rules as the average Joe.
 
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On 2 separate occasions I have seen people try to put kids on Elk, have seen people walk backwards with a toddler in their arms to take close up selfies with bears, have seen deer baited with food. I used to go psycho b**** and confront them, but anymore I just use sarcasm about thinning out the gene pool and how lucky we are that natural selection works to our advantage, that I could get some award winning video of a tourist death by wildlife, that I have video proof that the animal was right to attack them and that it could be used in court in defence of said animal. I have frequently asked idiots if they would like a hero cookie, or wow your Mama raised a special kind of stupid etc.. I get some dirty looks but it seems to work, they usually walk away from the animals because I am ruining their moment. You can not fix stupid and a knife in the ribs or a physical confrontation would be a bad way to end a photo taking trip so I have learned to back off and report them to CO and hope for the best for the animal.
 
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At one of the beaches in South Africa where the penguins hang out there are boardwalks to view them from a respectable distance. I was just on holiday at the time with my wife. We saw a couple of young women with their beach bags climb over the side of the boardwalk, lay out their towels and then go much closer to the penguins to do some phone photos.

I was pretty shocked and nobody was doing anything about it. I'd always considered myself pretty shy and anti-confrontation but upon realising that nobody was doing anything, I yelled at them. They didn't like me shouting at them but they didn't move so I walked back up to the entrance, found someone in charge and sent them off to deal with it. The women got escorted out. It was almost like I was watching a different person do that stuff because it was so out of character for me.

In general I'd be more likely to report behaviour to a member of staff (if it is somewhere with staff) than to directly confront someone. If I saw a photographer that I thought was less experienced and they were doing something like getting a bit too close or making noises to attract the attention of an animal then I'd probably try and strike up a conversation and see if I could impart a little wisdom.
 
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Once told a woman that her dog had to be on a lead according to the rules and signage everywhere, her answer to me was her dog was more controllable off the lead !!!!
 
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When I see something like this I try the educational approach, as in "Ma'm, getting that close to the owl and its burrow is very bad for the owl." I saw some kids getting pretty close to some raccoons and mentioned to their dad that they have huge claws and are not afraid to bite if they feel threatened. He got the kids back and kept them at a safe distance after that, and he said he appreciated the warning. :) On the other hand, I mentioned to a woman that Cheetos were probably not a very healthy thing to feed a pelican, and she took great offense. She did stop feeding the bird junk food, though. :)
 
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