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Don’t Take Selfies With Bears, Aspen Police Warn
KFOR ^ | SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

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 Year’s 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.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bears; selfies
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1 posted on 09/15/2017 10:36:39 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Sheesh. When Mama has her cubs around, you just back away. Back way away.


2 posted on 09/15/2017 10:39:30 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs
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To: nickcarraway

No, please do. If you’re stupid enough to do it...please do. You’ve seen Disney movies that showed wild animals with human characteristics, surely Disney haven’t BS’ed you? Trust Disney...they only love you.


3 posted on 09/15/2017 10:40:03 AM PDT by WKUHilltopper (WKU 2016 Boca Raton Bowl Champions)
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To: nickcarraway

Stoopid, stoopid Libtards. They don’t understand how fast the mama bear might start mauling any of them when she feels she is protecting her cubs. You don’t even have to approach a cub for the mama bear to freak out, just being in the vicinity can be enough to set her off.


4 posted on 09/15/2017 10:41:29 AM PDT by Enchante
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To: nickcarraway

Notice to PETA types, animal rights activists and Earth Firsters: Bears are fun, sweet and cuddly and want to be your pal. To show your appreciation for our bruin friends, smear yourself with peanut butter and honey and walk right up to them for a big “bear” hug. I guarantee you will get closer to nature.


5 posted on 09/15/2017 10:42:04 AM PDT by Noumenon (Can you imagine if Islam were NOT the religion of peace?)
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To: BBQToadRibs

Said the man to his friend...

I don’t have to be able to out run the bear...


6 posted on 09/15/2017 10:42:19 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
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To: WKUHilltopper
🐿🐏🐆🐊🐼🦁🐻. They only want to cuddle.
7 posted on 09/15/2017 10:42:32 AM PDT by rktman (Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?!)
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To: Noumenon

It doesn’t get any closer than worm food.


8 posted on 09/15/2017 10:43:13 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
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To: WKUHilltopper

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature’s recipes
a selfie with a bear is worth your life


9 posted on 09/15/2017 10:43:56 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: gov_bean_ counter

You will if I trip you first!


10 posted on 09/15/2017 10:43:59 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs
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To: gov_bean_ counter

Best summary of the joke I’ve heard.


11 posted on 09/15/2017 10:44:08 AM PDT by ctdonath2 (It's not "white privilege", it's "Puritan work ethic". Behavior begets consequences.)
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To: BBQToadRibs

Bears really really like it when Left wing city folk whant to take “selfies” with them. One bear invited me to her den and showed me all the wonderful pictures.

Remember — Bears do not like conservatives taking selfies. Bears want only “liberals” to take selfies. .....because liberals taste better.


12 posted on 09/15/2017 10:44:38 AM PDT by captain_dave
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To: ctdonath2

Thanks


13 posted on 09/15/2017 10:46:55 AM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
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To: nickcarraway

That bear is brown, it’s a grizzly, not a black bear.

Wide berth.


14 posted on 09/15/2017 10:49:41 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: nickcarraway

“Don’t take selfies with soon to be well-fed bears” (Corrected headline)


15 posted on 09/15/2017 10:55:22 AM PDT by FormerACLUmember
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To: Pearls Before Swine

Aspen doesn’t have grizzlies . Black bears can be black or brown .


16 posted on 09/15/2017 10:59:33 AM PDT by katykelly
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To: nickcarraway

Maine Coon Cats.

Give them some kippered snacks.


17 posted on 09/15/2017 11:00:51 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: Pearls Before Swine

From Wikipedia:

Despite their name, black bears show a great deal of color variation. Individual coat colors can range from white, blond, cinnamon, or light brown to dark chocolate brown or to jet black, with many intermediate variations existing.


18 posted on 09/15/2017 11:01:36 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: nickcarraway

A few years back, I recall driving through Gatineau Park (north of Ottawa and popular for hiking, skiing and snowshoeing) and a bear came charging out of the woods and across the road and back in. Would not have wanted to get in the way and since it was in the fall, the bear was likely foraging for food, so probably would have been even more dangerous to get near it.


19 posted on 09/15/2017 11:03:32 AM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("If I had to go to war again, I'd bring lacrosse players" Conn Smythe)
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To: BBQToadRibs

I came across a lone cub while hiking once. Never saw mom but I beat foot as fast as I could. Damn thing kept following me.

Shook for 30 mins.


20 posted on 09/15/2017 11:06:23 AM PDT by freedomlover
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