You’ll see more of an animal’s natural behavior during your stay in Yellowstone National Park if you're sensitive to its need of space. Do not approach wildlife, particularly those with young, and view them from the safety of your vehicle (or keep your distance if on foot). If an animal reacts to your presence, you're too close.

Each year a number of Yellowstone Park visitors are injured by wildlife when they approach animals too closely. You should stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, wolves, and coyotes.

Here is some information from Yellowstone's Park Service about how to behave around Yellowstone’s unpredictable wildlife.

Bison may appear tame and slow but they are unpredictable and dangerous. They weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and sprint at 30 miles per hour (48 kph), three time faster than you can run! Every year visitors are gored and some have even been killed.

Coyotes quickly learn bad habits like roadside begging. This may lead to aggressive behavior toward humans. Never approach or feed a begging coyote.

Bears Be alert for tracks and signs of bear. The best way to avoid a bear is to take all necessary precautions to avoid surprise encounters. Review both our backpacking page and our bear encounters page for important information on the subject.

If precautionary measures fail and you are charged by a bear, you can still usually defuse the situation. Pepper spray is a good last line of defense and it is effective in more than 90% of the reported cases where it has been used. Become familiar with your pepper spray, read all instructions before heading out into the wilderness, and know its limitations. Pepper spray must be instantly available, not in your pack. Remember, carrying pepper spray is not a substitute for vigilance and good safety precautions.

If you are injured by a bear (regardless of how minor), or if you observe bear or bear sign, report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. Someone's safety may depend on it.