Here at Cascades Carnivore Project, our mission is to ensure a safe future for the incredible but vulnerable species we all love. Today, one of the biggest threats comes from a place you might not expect: social media feeds.
In our desire to share the wonder of a rare sighting, we can unintentionally put wildlife in grave danger, especially when that species lives in a heavily recreated area like a National Park.
Wolverines and Cascade red foxes live in Mount Rainier, that’s not a secret. But when we disclose a precise location or post photos with identifiable trails and landmarks, we can inadvertently cause crowds to flock to a sensitive area, disrupting natural behaviors, separating young from parents, increasing the deadly food-conditioning problem and causing chronic stress that impacts survival.
You can still share your encounters and passion for wildlife while keeping them safe. It’s all about being mindful. Here are some guidelines for responsible social media posting when wildlife is in easily accessible or heavily recreated areas:
Remove Locations: Avoid tagging the exact location of a rare or endangered species. Instead, tag the general park, a nearby town, or simply no location at all. Saying “Mount Rainier”, “Mount Adams”, “Washington Cascades” or mentioning a vast wilderness area in your caption is ok, but narrowing a location down to anything smaller than that puts the species at risk.
Wait to Post: Delay sharing your photos or videos until the wildlife have left the area or road closures limit access to their habitat. This prevents people from rushing to the spot in real-time. If the animal you encountered has young, do not share your post until the young have reached the age of dispersal and are not using a den site.
Crop or Blur Backgrounds: If your photo contains unique landmarks (a specific rock formation, a unique tree, a trailhead or sign), consider using a tool to blur the background or crop the identifying features out.
Don’t Use Drones: Drones are illegal in National Parks, but they also should not be used near Park boundaries or any locations where endangered species exist. The noise and unfamiliar presence of drones can frighten endangered wildlife, causing them to flee and abandon their young or crucial food sources. This unnecessary disturbance forces them to waste vital energy and can directly impact their survival and reproduction.
Be a Voice for the Voiceless: Use your platform for good! In your caption, explain why you’re not tagging the location. Educate your followers about the dangers of location sharing and encourage them to do the same. You’re not just sharing a photo; you’re sharing a conservation message. If you see someone sharing or commenting on a post that breaks these guidelines, speak up. Ask them to delete any posts or comments that put endangered species at risk.
Together, we can ensure that our shared love for wildlife doesn’t put sensitive species in harm’s way. Thank you for being a responsible advocate and helping us keep wolverines and Cascade red foxes wild and safe!