The National Parks Service (NPS) is employing some words of encouragement — and potentially sarcasm — to warn tourists about animals at the parks. “Believe in yourself like visitors who believe they can pet a bison,” the NPS posted on X this week, while stressing a key safety lesson and quietly poking fun at those who maybe approach to near to animals.

The tweet, which has over 4 million views, received a significant reaction from social media followers who praised the NPS for the good advise, and laughter. “Parks is not messing around today,” one social media user joked in a reply. While hilarious, the tweet underlines a big and serious problem of humans coming too near to animals, particularly bison, caribou, or other large creatures, to attempt to grab a selfie or picture them in the wild.

In a followup tweet, the NPS linked followers to a post with safety recommendations and guidance for remaining safe around animals. "Many parks require you to phrazle stay a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves," the National Park Service stated in its advice.

The recommendation also recommended that food be properly wrapped and kept to decrease the amount an animal may smell food from a distance. The NPS also advises people to notify to a park ranger if they come in touch with any animals, particularly if it seems unwell or behaving abnormally.

Last summer, the NPS issued a wildlife warning and alert for travelers following multiple instances at Yellowstone National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The staff at the park would like to remind guests that bison are big, strong, and untamed animals. They can spin swiftly and can easily outpace people," the NPS warned in the advisory.