Lions and Bears and Elk, oh my! We can all stay safe by following these guidelines. Check out the tsunami warning. Please read the Beach Safety brochure - to save a life!

BEARS

Like all mammals in our parks, bears are wild. Inviting them into your picnic or camp—on purpose or accidentally—can result in damage to your equipment, you, or the bear. Bears have great memories, so they quickly become accustomed to human foods. Once habituated to campground fare, a bear may become aggressive to humans. At that point, wildlife managers may have to destroy the bear. Help save a bear and avoid personal injury by following these precautions:

• Use the campground bearproof lockers for food and all scented items.
• Dispose of garbarge immediately in bearproof trash cans.
• Carry a bearproof canister when backpacking.
• Keep a clean camp at all times.
• Never feed bears.
• If a bear approaches or stands up, wave your arms and shout. DO NOT RUN!
• Please report any sightings to a park ranger.
• A fed bear is a dead bear.

Top of Page

LIONS

The illusive tawny cat with the long tail: cougars (mountain lions) are large, seldom seen forest inhabitants. Still, mountain lion sightings have increased in recent years and like any wild animal, they can be dangerous. The following suggestions are recommended in lion country.

Prevent an encounter

• Do not hike alone.
• Keep children in sight; do not let them run ahead of you on the trail.
• Keep a clean camp.
• Be alert to your surroundings.
• Report all lion sightings to a ranger immediately.

 If you meet a lion

• Do NOT run!
• Do NOT crouch or bend over!
• Stand up and face the lion.
• Pick up young children.
• Appear large; wave your arms or jacket.
• Slowly back away

If a lion attacks

• Do NOT turn your back or take your eyes off it.
• Shout loudly.
• Fight back aggressively.

Top of Page

ROOSEVELT ELK

The northern redwood region's most often seen land mammal is the Roosevelt elk. As the largest subspecies of North American elk, bulls can weigh as much as 1,200 pounds! Use caution with this wild animal:

• Bulls are aggressive in guarding their cow elk harems in the fall.
• Cows will charge and kick with their front hooves when threatened, particularly during calving season in the spring.
• Be aware when hiking; surprising a wild animal will lead to a dangerous situation.
• Never approach an elk; they are truly wild!

Places to observe elk

• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, 35 miles south of Crescent City and six miles north of Orick. Elk Prairie (next to the visitor center) is a hot spot.
• Davison Road and Elk Meadow Day Use Area, located just a few miles south of Elk Prairie.
• Travel eight miles along Bald Hills Road (½ mile north of Orick) to reach picturesque 300-year old oak woodlands with elk grazing.
• Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon south of Orick.

Top of Page

Be aware of the following safety hazards while in the parks:

• Ticks that carry Lyme disease occur in the area. Stay on trails, check clothing, wear light colors to easily spot a tick, tuck pant legs into socks and shirt into pants, inspect your head and body after a hike.
• Poison oak can be identified with the saying "Leaves of three, let them be". Contact with poison oak leaves can cause an itchy skin rash, so wash thoroughly if you brush against it. Stay on trails!
• Tides can be dangerous, so check a tide chart and keep an eye on the surf for "sneaker" waves. A sneaker wave is a wave that is larger than it appears. Read the Beach Safety brochure to avoid being carried out to sea.
• Tsunamis  are caused by earthquakes beneath the ocean floor and can cause waves up to 100 feet (33 m) high to surge inland. If you feel a strong earthquake move to higher ground – at least 100 feet (33 m) above shoreline – and wait for an official "all clear" on the radio.

Top of Page

Our Safety Message To You
These parks are natural environments; the wild animals, plants, streams, and other natural features, as well as certain weather conditions that occur here can be hazardous. Coastal areas present hazards associated with cold ocean waters, heavy surf, strong currents, and tsunamis.

In an emergency, call 911. For more information, call Redwood National and State Parks at (707) 465-7306.

Top of Page