Florida sheriff's office warns against taking selfies with 'depressed' bear

UPI ^ | JULY 22, 2024 | Ben Hooper

[Red Badger]

July 22 (UPI) -- A Florida sheriff's office is reminding residents not to approach bears after onlookers were seen trying to snap selfies with a "depressed" bear at the side of a highway.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office said on social media the bear was spotted late last week on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach.

"Famous last words, 'If not friend, why friend shaped?'" the post said. "Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest."

The sheriff's office said members of the public were seen getting dangerously close to the bear to take selfies.

"He's clearly not in the mood for pictures. The bear has shown signs of severe stress," the post said.

The sheriff's office said a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist responded to the scene, but the bear wandered back into the woods on its own.

"PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH black bears at any time," officials wrote. "Especially those that are showing aggression like this big fella."

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TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS:

[Red Badger]

This is the county next to ours to the east.

What the hell is wrong with people?..............

[Red Badger]

People are crazy.....................

[Jamestown1630]

Gosh, now I have to add depressed black bears to the long list of reasons to stay out of Florida.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“What the hell is wrong with people?”

My guess is they don’t have enough money for a trip to Yellowstone.

[Red Badger]

Maybe we should import some bison!....................

[6ppc]

Could be Cocaine Bear crashing after a bender😎

[ProtectOurFreedom]

How about some gray wolves, too!?

[xp38]

Just like Happy Fun Ball do not taunt Florida Bear particularly when he’s feeling down!

[Red Badger]

Nah, we have too many coyotes, we don’t need any wolves.............

[ProtectOurFreedom]

But the wolves will eat your coyotes.

[DannyTN]

A happy bear will be provided on the other side of the road.

[Red Badger]

Then we’re stuck with wolves!........

[9YearLurker]

Looks like he has his phone in a paw and has been watching bear porn.

[NorthMountain]

[riverrunner]

My guess it far more likely to be a sick bear.

How would one tell if a bear is depressed.

[Malsua]

>>My guess it far more likely to be a sick bear.

Yeah, sick of the heat. I can’t imagine wearing that coat during midday right now.

It’s _HOT_ down here in FL, it’s July.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“How would one tell if a bear is depressed”

They took away his Disney World unlimited pass?

[Tacrolimus1mg]

That movie was ridiculous.

[KarlInOhio]

Is that Liver Lips McGrowl depressed after Disney cancelled him?

'If not friend, why friend shaped?'" the post said. "Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest."

Put down the phone, Kamala. You have an important job to do in the political equivalent of the Washington Generals playing the Harlem Globetrotters.

[FamiliarFace]

SMH…