Avoid Taking Selfies With Bears, Even If They Appear Sad

There’s something about communing with wildlife that lends itself to posting on social media. If you’re out for a walk and see a rabbit scurrying around, a deer resting, or a particularly striking bird, taking a photo of it isn’t unusual. Selfies are even more enticing; why not snap a picture with an adorable squirrel if you find one on a hike? However, there’s a significant exception to this rule concerning animals that can harm or even kill you.

It might seem like common sense, yet it still needs to be reiterated. Richard Luscombe, writing for The Guardian, recounted a story where Florida police had to warn people in the Santa Rosa Beach area not to pose for selfies with a visibly stressed bear.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office highlighted this on their Facebook page, noting that deputies were monitoring the bear near Highway 98 and County Road 83. Onlookers were attempting to take selfies with the bear, which was showing signs of severe stress and clearly not in the mood for pictures. The sheriff’s office strongly advised, “PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH black bears at any time. Especially those that are showing aggression like this big fella.”

By the time the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission arrived, the bear had already left the scene. Nevertheless, avoiding selfies with potentially dangerous animals remains excellent advice. Last year, a man trying to take a selfie with a wild deer ended up with broken ribs. Earlier this year, a woman attempting to take a selfie with a bear was mauled.

As a rule of thumb, giving animals capable of causing significant harm some space is a wise course of action.

Source: The Guardian