Posted on 09/15/2017 10:36:39 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Video of a mother bear and her two cubs climbing down a tree in the middle of Aspen, Colorado went viral earlier this week, prompting police to issue a warning about trying to photograph the wild animals.
When the bears came down from the tree on the Hyman Avenue mall, police said there was a "fairly large crowd of photo-takers and those that insisted on trying to get close enough to take selfies."
Police said one woman walked up to the bears -- while carrying her child -- to get a selfie.
Police said when the bear and her cubs tried to make a run for it, they were followed by a group of people trying to get video.
This led to the cubs getting separated from their mother, police said.
"The mother bear returned to the mall, very agitated and making loud crying sounds," police stated. "People were still walking right up to her, even when it was clear she was agitated and growling as people got close."
Police said the bear could have easily turned and attacked one of the onlookers -- and then they would have been forced to euthanize the bear.
"What may seem like an opportunity for a good selfie, could cost a bear its life," police stated.
The mother bear and her cubs found each other again after being separated. Police also issued a reminder that it is illegal to harass any wildlife.
"Harass means to unlawfully endanger, worry, impede, annoy, pursue, disturb, molest, rally, concentrate, harry, chase, drive, herd, or torment wildlife," police said.
Police took a lighter tone on Facebook, comparing the bears to celebrities being stalked by paparazzi.
"Lately, the Aspen Bears have felt like Mariah Carey in Aspen on New Years Eve. The paparazzi have been following their every move around town, trying to get close and snap selfies," police said.
"As their managing agents, we would request that if you bump into one of our furry celebrities, you politely take a peek and keep on moving," police said.
"Posting photos of the Aspen Bears to your social media account only draws larger crowds, which can agitate bears and create a dangerous situation."
Police said the bears have gone on a selfie strike and they support it.
BEFORE DINNER.
Black bears out here can vary in color from black, to brown, to blond, and even red. Adult males frequntly go up near 400 pounds, with one taken a few years ago over 700 pounds.
If people want pictures of bears go to a zoo or look at national geographic.
If you must take pictures with bears, make sure your selfie stick is at least .308 caliber.
Thanks, it’s good to be recognized, LOL.
In the East, black bears are pretty dark, and we think of grizzlies as being located in the “west.” For us, Colorado is pretty “west.”
But, I’d give black bear sows some room, too.
Some Black Bears have brown fur. They can even be blonde. Grizzlies also can be very dark.
Be that as it may these effing morons are are very very lucky.
In Yellowstone you see people trying to get close to moose and bison as well as bears. I’m amazed that more tourists don’t get mauled and killed every year.
Please do if you have the inclination.
It strengthens the human gene pool.
This problem will resolve itself.
As I understand it the Black Bear and the Brown Bear are very separate species separating 5 million years back.
There are wide varieties in Black Bear and Brown Bear color but the Brown Bear averages about 40% larger.
Grizzlies are a sub-species of Brown Bear and not thought to exist in Colorado or New Mexico in recent decades. They are distinguished by shoulder and hump enlargement with grizzled hair coloration going from black/gray/brown to white/silver on the ends of the back hair.
In 1979 I believe the Brown Bear I saw near my cabin at 10,000 feet off Cement Mountain north of Gunnison, Colorado was a Grizzly. Locals agreed there was one habitually there and it met the coloration issues I list. My mother in law spent every summer in the rockies from the mid thirties and she agreed that was what it appeared to her.
Either way, now the Black Bear population is climbing and the Brown Bear population is in decline in Colorado. There are probably two to three times the number of Black Bears as opposed to Brown Bears. Black Bear population counts are recently given at 19,000 for the state.
For people in Colorado, everything east of Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 is considered "east."
Substitute Moslems for bear in this story......get the picture?
I have seen a lot of bears during the course of a long life in B.C., working in the bush for over a decade.
The most surprising thing about bears is how fast they can move, especially uphill.
A friend of mine got “attacked” by a bison a few years ago in Utah. Did some serious damage and he was lucky to escape with his life. Just out for a hike and a chance encounter.
You should see the dumb tourists in Estes Park Colorado during the elk rut.
The popular culture sees bears as cuddly. When you say “cuddly” you think “bear.” Wrong. They don’t cuddle with people. They kill people. Do not trust a bear, ever.
I’m never surprised at the stupidity of the general public.
Yikes. Some chinese tourist got killed by a bison in Yellowstone not too long ago. Most of the animal attacks I’ve seen here in Utah are moose attacks. If you see a moose calf run like hell. If you hear the mother following you climb a tree. A friend had his truck attacked by a big bull moose a few years back. Dented the crap out of his tailgate. Stay away from moose.
Avoid squirrel too
I remember that sow, hide is in the Colorado museum I think. I think there could still be some in the Sangries down south. Lots of area with no roads.
Many decades ago, may wife and I were driving through the Trinity Alps in northern California. On a country road, she said “Look at the dogs playing in the road up there.”
“Uh, dear, those aren’t dogs.”
Now she’s out tempting mountain lions in the hills hereabouts.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.