I thought the wave of stupid selfie deaths had ended, although it seems you’re still more likely to die from a selfie than a shark attack. The latest in the long line of no-longer-with-us selfie shooters is Prabhu Bhatara. The Independent report that after stopping to go to the toilet on his way home from a wedding, Bhataru spotted an injured bear in the Nabarangpur district of Odisha in India.
They say that fellow passengers suggested it might not be the best idea for him to take a photo with the animal. But it seems that he knew better and tried anyway. After getting close to the bear, it struck out, which was followed by a struggle between the two. They also report that a stray dog came to the man’s defence and bit the bear, while onlookers, umm… looked on, but it failed to deter the bear.
Forest ranger Dhanurjaya Mohapatra is reported to have said that Mr Bhatara “died on the spot” and that “the bear is being treated for its injuries”.
Between March 2014 and September 2016, India had the highest rate of selfie-related deaths, according to a study last year. It claimed India had 60% of all deaths associated with selfies taking place there. Of 127 selfie-related deaths in that period, 76 happened in India.
A word of advice. It’s never a great idea to approach a bear at any time. It’s an even worse idea to approach an injured one that’s in pain. You’re not going to come out of it in better shape than you went in.
While not so common these days, bear selfies were something of a trend in 2014. To the point where the US Forest Service was forced to warn people to not get so close to them. “Visitor centre staff routinely encounter unsafe situations as guests ignore their instructions”, the service said.
Even captive animals aren’t always safe, as one man visiting Yeshanko Wildlife Zoo in China discovered when he was drowned by a walrus.
At least, this time, human stupidity and vanity didn’t cause the animal to die.
Be safe out there, folks. And be smart.
[via The Independent]
The man died on the spot and the bear was being treated for its injuries. If this happened in the US, the bear would have been hunted, shot and killed for being a bear. Even though it’s the person’s fault for being stupid
If the bear had been in South Africa it would have been shot. People are dumb, straight out dumb.
but we’re also “people”, right?
The words “selfie” and “bear” should not occur in the same thought if you’re a logically minded individual.
Unless you’re Yogi Bear and taking a selfie while stealing picnic baskets ;)
#darwinawards
It’s a WILD ANIMAL !
Horrible and stupid. Does not belong within the scope of this website. Are you really that desperate for stories?
It’s a photography related incident. This is a photography website. There was nothing click bait about the article because it presented what the title said it would present. If the title didn’t interest you, there was no need to read the rest of the article or watch the video. If you did, then blame yourself for reading/watching it, not John for sharing it.
Some people really do not have common sense. Or maybe they are trying to be famous by doing dangerous stunt. Well, natural selection.
Darwin…
Anyone recall the expression regarding dangerous wounded animals?
You bear the consequences of your silly actions. No sympathy to those who court death for selfies. What use to get a million likes or views if you don’t live to see it. Not being inhuman, but seen enough of death defying selfies stunts to become unsympathetic.
you ”bear” the consequences….
that comment made me paws for a second too…
I thought it was kind of a Grizzly thing to say…
As shown on the shaky video, it was total panda-monium.
Definitely koalafies for the #darwinawards
How long will it be before selficide tops suicide in the young persons statistics? Cleary a stupid attempt for a photo.
thank god the bear is alright…
Glad the bear is ok, hope the stray dog is ok.
I’m not surprised (nothing people do surprise me anymore) that the statistic of selfie deaths are so high.
This is an example of Darwinism at its best. We should remove all safety labels on everything and let nature take it course.