Visit Jackson Hole Creates Selfie Filter to Protect Tourists from Wildlife

Visit Jackson Hole recently stepped up to join the global effort in protecting wildlife from tourist interactions. Their new social media filter is a useful tool in ensuring that they--and the wildlife--remain safe.

The filter works by showing a silhouette of an animal, and explaining that if the animal appears in your viewfinder larger than that, you are too close. See below.

Crista Valentino, Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board, spoke with POWDER about the decision behind creating this filter.

Valentino said, "human-wildlife conflicts have been increasing in the Jackson Hole region and surrounding public lands as visitor numbers continue to rise and people from around the world are coming to the area to experience the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48."

"News articles and social media videos come out weekly of people getting too close to wildlife and experiencing serious injuries when those animals react.

The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board stepped in because, as Valentino explained, "national parks and public land agencies in the Jackson Hole region have traditionally spearheaded the efforts to educate visitors and encourage responsible behavior."

The reasoning behind making a selfie filter perhaps comes as no surprise in our increasingly digital era. "Most people taking photos of wildlife are using their phones and posting on social media after the photo is taken. We wanted to put this messaging right in their hands when they are in the middle of the action, in both an educational and entertaining way."

"The Selfie Control filter is meeting people where they are at, giving them the tools and information to make better decisions and the opportunity to become a good steward of wild places," said Valentino.

The board's first goal with the filter is to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and to educate visitors on responsible behavior when visiting the Jackson Hole region.

"In the future, we want visitors to feel empowered and educated to be good stewards of our ecosystem and the wildlife that inhabit it," said Valentino. "This includes understanding the impacts that humans may have on wildlife, including the consequences on both themselves and the animals if they get too close. Ultimately, we envision visitors as becoming advocates for the responsible behavior."

Visit Jackson Hole is not only protecting their community, but is also open-sourcing the files for the Selfie Control filter so other destinations can add in their local wildlife and help their visitors practice selfie control as well.

As a final note, Valentino added that "getting the shot" as photographers often say, "is not worth the risk to you or the wildlife."

Watch the campaign's video titled, 'Get Some Selfie Control', below.

The tourism board advises staying 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards away from all other animals (including moose, elk, bison, and deer). This is more than a friendly tip: anyone found disregarding this requirement can be fined up to $1,000.

"Both wildlife and humans are at a high risk of injury or death when people get too close, often caused when the animal tries to escape and becomes aggressive. Habituated wildlife that get used to being around people and developed areas also at greater risk of eating human food, catching diseases from people and pets, and could get euthanized for this behavior."

"Remember that we are in their natural homes and a little self-control can go a long way to help keep wildlife wild."

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