'Selfie control' Instagram filter helps you judge distance from wildlife

Woman takes selfie dangerously close to bison at Yellowstone

A woman visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming was seen taking a selfie dangerously close to bison that was lying down on the grass. (Credit: Storyful)

A new Instagram filter is helping park visitors know when they are too close to wildlife, particularly those who want to get the "perfect" picture for social media.

Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board said the "Selfie Control" app will help those at Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park.

When a person opens up the camera through the app, they can choose which animal they're viewing. A small outline of the animal will appear.

The person can then superimpose the outline over the animal. If the animal is bigger than the icon, the app will let the person that they're too close. They will then be advised to back up further to take the picture.

A herd of bison and their calves share the road with visitors to Yellowstone April 22, 2018. The interior roads to Yellowstone National Park opened to the public after winter snow clearing on the weekend of April 20, 2018. (Photo by William Campbell-

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"So what we're excited about is giving people the ability, like another tool, to be able to really understand how far 25 yards is or how far 100 yards is," Crista Valentino, the executive director of the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board, told Boise State Public Radio, "because it's difficult to judge that distance when you have such a great expanse."

Park rangers in Yellowstone said the safest sight of wildlife is inside a vehicle. Visitors are warned to stay between 25 and 100 yards away from wildlife, depending on the species.