National Park Rules And Regulations

The interraction between humans and wildlife has been unfavorable to wildlife, a catastrophy of unimaginable proportions. Humans have suffered injuries even death but the suffering inflicted on wildlife is beyond imaginations. Some wildlife species have suffered extinction, others are in the danger of extinction thus wildlife sanctuaries have been created to preserve and protect animals from human harm. National parks are wildlife sanctuaries where all wildlife is protected from human interference. Human activities in the national parks is limited to harmless visitation for enjoyment, photography, hiking, trekking, relaxation. Economic activities in the national parks are limited to tourism and conservation. Hunting, fishing, wood harvesting, bee keeping, hunting are prohibited. To avoid harmful diseases and injuries from wildlife all visitors are required to observe the code of conduct to minimize physical interractions with wildlife. National parks are not zoos. All animals are wild and can inflict serious injuries or death to human beings.
1. Observe flight distance. Flight distance is the distance the animal keeps between itself and humans or predators. Elands look like mirage as for every meter you move towards them, they too move a meter. There is a reason Lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopard are called the big five. These animals are dangerous to approach. Always maintain safe distance form them. For lions, cougars, bears, buffaloes, black rhinos and lactating elephants stay atleat 100 meters away. For others stay atleast 30 meters awa
2. Do not touch animals. Some animals like cats look beautiful and one would love get closer or touch them. Thats dangerous as cats can bite or scratch you and likely transmit dangerous bugs to you. Some like lions, leopards, tigers, cougars can kill you. Insects can bite and sting. Minimize contact with insect by wearing appropriately and applying insect repellants
3. Do not feed animals. Wild animals fed for themselves. Do not feed them as this makes them dependent of you for food. The moment you have nothing to give they will attack. Besides in the process of feeding you might get bitten, injured or killed
4. Stay in your vehicle. Alight only in designated areas.
5. Follow instructions from your guide or ranger. Rangers and guides always act for your own benefit and safety
6. To avoid getting lost when hiking or trekking always keep in your group. If you need to rest always inform the group leader to call for rest so that you do not get left behind
8. Camp only in official campsites. Camping out of these is dangerous to you as you do not enjoy protection of rangers
9. Do not bring your domestic pets into the national park. Domestic Dogs, cats, parrots can put you or other visitors in danger as they might attract predators. Dogs and cats can decide to go hunting in the park causing lots of commotion. They can also transmit dangerous diseases to wild animals
10. Avoid smoking or starting a fire in the national park. Wild are devastating and cause irreparable damage that takes ages to recover
11. Store your food carefully and dispose left overs in responsible manner. Animals like Elephants can be attracted to campsites
12. Always inform a friend, next of kin or family member of your plans when visiting national parks
13. Make sure children are under supervision

Failure to observe national park rules and regulations can cause:

1. Irreparable damage to otherwise fragile environment which may take years to repair.
2. Serious injuries or death to visitors or animals.
3. In the extreme, it can lead to a complete reversal of the whole conservation effort, e.g., in a case where contact results in complete extermination or extinction of the contact species.
4. Heavy fines are imposed on the culprits.
5. Jail terms may be preferred for the culprits.
6. One can get lost