Bruce Peninsula National Park Warnings and Dangers

Note: The picture was taken at Visitor Centre's Exhibit.

Bruce Peninsula National Park is amongst the last few abodes of Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. This is the only venomous snake of southern and eastern Ontario. Parks Canada advises the following precautionary measures:

1. Wear long pants and boots
2. Always look where you are putting your feet and hands
3. Do not attempt to capture or confine this or any other species
4. Keep your pet on leash at all the times. Dogs are inquisitive and rattlesnakes don’t like this particular trait.

Cliff jumping is strictly prohibited, but daredevils got to do what daredevils got to do (picture 1). There are signs advising against Cliff Jumping and telling that two people recently lost their lives jumping on shallow waters. Besides, there have been numerous injuries reported. What I was afraid of was someone jumping from the cliff over divers below (picture 2), because the jumpers could not see at the base of the cliff. Good news was that visitors were aware of the risk and alerted the jumpers if the divers were in the vicinity.

Park Canada Advisory:

Please note that the picture was taken at Visitor Centre's Exhibit.

“Black bears are spectacular and beautiful creatures, and where they have had little contact with humans they tend to avoid us. Bears are strongly attracted to human food and garbage, and can lose their natural inclination to avoid us if they become accustomed to eating our garbage and carelessly stored food. These "denaturalized" bears can become a serious problem.”

“To help avoid a negative encounter when camping, store your food in your vehicle. If you are at a remote site, cache your food away from your site, or use a bear-proof container. Remember coolers and tents are not bear-proof. Pack out your garbage in sealed plastic bags. Never eat or keep food in your tent. Other bear attractants are: Pet food / dishes, BBQ grease, oil / fat, fish and fish offal, perfumed items (soap, deorderant, toothpate, sun tan lotion, insect spray, hair spray, etc.), wastewater from cooking or doing dishes, tableclothes, etc.”