10 tips for respecting and protecting animals while hiking

More and more of us are going on hiking trails in the heart of nature. By our mere presence, we disturb wildlife in their natural environment. So what state of mind should you adopt when going on a hike to better respect and protect animals?

Roe deer, stags, badgers, foxes, birds, hares… We always believe, wrongly, that we observe animals during a walk in the forest or a hike in the mountains. However, they are the ones who see us, smell us and hear us, and most of the time, run away when we approach. Here are some tips to try to hide in the geography to better respect the animals . Remember that while hiking, respecting wildlife is also useful for your safety .

We only respect what we know! Find out about the wildlife species present in the places where you venture. Getting to know the wildlife, especially in sensitive areas, helps to better understand why it is important to preserve it. Natural parks and classified areas often have houses or tourist centers organizing hikes and giving all the necessary information to visitors.

We don’t feed wild animals . Whether hiking or scuba diving , feeding animals even indirectly by leaving food or your trash changes their behavior and shows them that humans can provide them with food. They then leave their natural environment, and can develop a taste for foods of human origin. Biodegradable products such as fruit peels should not be thrown away. Otherwise wild animals could get into the habit of eating what humans throw away.

Respect the “leave no trace” philosophy . If you bivouac or picnic during your hike, always keep the site clean around you. Do not leave your food, utensils and garbage lying around, the smell of which could attract animals.

Stay away from animals you encounter . Do not turn your back on them and avoid taking selfies. Observing animals means accepting to modify YOUR behavior, not theirs.

It is also important to remember that we do not touch the animals . If some don’t leave when you arrive, it’s not that they’re waiting for your caresses, but quite simply that they may be too young to have spotted you or to run away. Do not touch them or hug them, this could change their behavior. Their scent imprint of yours would repel their loved ones or other animals.

To live happy, live hidden ! Discretion is the watchword of the responsible hiker. The objective: not to be felt, not to be heard and not to be seen. Silence is golden in nature. Do not chat with your comrades, whisper as much as possible and turn off your phones. When walking, move slowly without sudden movement. Avoid making noise by cracking branches, for example.

Even if you put a lot of emphasis on looks when you go hiking, try not to wear flashy colored clothes . Put yourself in the shoes of animals, they know how to camouflage themselves very well in nature. Do the same.

Animals have a very sensitive sense of smell. On a hike, forget anything that could get you noticed, perfumes, creams or oils with unnatural scents .

If you walk with your dog, keep it on a leash. Your companions, no matter how cute, can be a source of stress for wild animals. In addition, many dogs on the loose are the cause of attacks. In fact, we do not recommend going on a hike with your pet . Seeing other animals may cause him to bark or not adjust to their presence.

Even though drones are increasingly accessible to the general public and provide spectacular images, these small flying machines disturb wildlife , disrupt natural behaviors and even risk injuring animals.