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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDenver park closes over risk to visitors trying to take #bearselfies
Source: The Guardian
Waterton Canyon park closes to the public with blog noting that visitors get
sometimes within 10 feet of wild bears while taking pictures with the animals
Ellen Brait in New York
Wednesday 16 September 2015 21.17 BST
A recreation and hiking area in Denver has been closed to the public after one too many hikers tried to take the perfect selfie with a bear.
The park, Waterton Canyon, which sees more than 100,000 visitors a year, initially closed on 28 August due to increased bear activity in the canyon, according to the initial news release. A biker was chased by a bear in the canyon but was not injured. According to Melanie Kaknes, Colorado parks and wildlife district manager, the decision to close the popular park was made to reduce the likelihood of a negative encounter from occurring.
A Denver Water blogpost on 4 September revealed that bears might not be the problem, but rather park visitors hoping for a few more Instagram or Facebook likes.
Weve actually seen people using selfie sticks to try and get as close to the bears as possible, sometimes within 10 feet of wild bears, Brandon Ransom, Denver Waters manager of recreation, said in the blogpost. The current situation is not conducive for the safety of our visitors or the well-being of the wildlife.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/16/denver-park-closes-risk-selfies-with-bears
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)Remind people of what they should already know, that bears may harm them. Then let them do what they want. 100k people a year go there to see the bears. I don't know why it would be a big deal if a couple bears get angry and dish out a few whacks to people who get too close.
exboyfil
(17,857 posts)Due to the frequency of human-bear encounters, the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen and any persons that use the out of doors in a recreational or work related function to take extra precautions while in the field.
We advise the outdoorsman to wear little noisy bells on clothing so as to give advanced warning to any bears that might be close by so you dont take them by surprise.
We also advise anyone using the out-f-doors to carry Pepper Spray with him is case of an encounter with a bear.
Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity, and be able to tell the difference between black bear feces and grizzly bear feces. Black bear feces is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear shit has bells in it and smells like pepper.
http://www.outdooroddities.com/2008/07/23/grizzly-bear-warning-sign/
struggle4progress
(118,032 posts)temporary311
(954 posts)the bears end up being killed.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)This policy is to protect the bear, not people
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)Regrettably, it is policy to shoot bears that attack people. That's unfortunate, since the people are generally at fault. guess what I would really like is to have a situation where nothing happens when wild animals defend themselves against people, hikers fall off cliffs, etc.
Initech
(99,909 posts)If people can't learn that bears and selfies are a bad combination, we don't deserve nice things. Fuck it, Donald, you win.
Shandris
(3,447 posts)...I definitely was wondering whether saving so many lives is really doing us much good as a society.
NuclearDem
(16,184 posts)Between the people who litter and don't pick up after themselves, the ones who deface protected areas, and the ones who don't know how to properly interact with animals, there are just too many people who are ruining it for the rest of us.
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)next to my car. I immediately went back inside to call work. I was going to be late. I also called the local wildlife office to report the bear in the area. I watched the bear from the safety of my house. He rooted around awhile and then left.
I am in awe of nature. I'm not silly enough to think nature is in awe of me.
It's not.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)Those who bring their urban sensibilities to wild places and arrogantly demand they be satisfied? And if they aren't, will they give a hoot or even $35 to support efforts at conservation and preservation? Complain mightily about these incidents, only realize that hunters and fishers are chiefly the ones putting in the money and effort to keep the outdoors just that. And they are under constant attack as well.