Watch: Yellowstone photographer refuses to move for grizzly bear and her cubs

A guide in Yellowstone National Park recently filmed a prime example of what not to do” when wild animals are near. He documented a photographer who stood still and refused to move as a grizzly bear mom and her cubs crossed a highway.

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A post shared by Andrea Baratte (@montanawild_)

The guide, Andrea Baratte, filmed the scene and shared it on Instagram on Monday. “As much as visitors enjoy seeing grizzly bears in Yellowstone, this is a prime of example on what not to do,” he writes in his video on Instagram.

“This bear with her cubs has been feeding for the last 10 days on a drowned bison and the location is no secret, hence all the people. You need to keep at least 100 yards, otherwise stay in your car. The photographer in the street refused to leave the area even after letting him know multiple times in advance that she was going to cross the road. Ethical photography needs to be practiced at all times.”

As FTW notes, Visitors to Yellowstone must “maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves.” If keeping this distance isn’t possible for any reason, visitors should “use common sense” to make sure both they and the animals are safe. But apparently, common sense isn’t all that common. The photographer was lucky that the momma bear didn’t perceive him or the rest of the crowd as a threat.

What should you do?

One would say it’s common sense not to approach wild animals for selfies, or pull their cubs from the trees. But as I said, common sense isn’t that common in some people. We’ve seen many examples of what not to do, but here’s what you should do:

• Maintain distance: This is the key. As already noted, stay at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves and 25 yards (23 meters) away from all other large animals like bison and elk.
• Use your car as cover: Observe wildlife from your car whenever possible. It provides a safe barrier and lets you enjoy the view without disturbing the animals.
• No approaching or feeding: Even if an animal seems calm, never approach it for a closer look or try to feed it. This disrupts their natural behavior and can lead to aggressive encounters. A selfie with a bison might seem like a cool idea, but it’s not. Zoom in with your camera lens instead of getting closer.
• Respect the pullouts: Park rangers designate pullouts for wildlife viewing. Use these spots and avoid stopping on the road or blocking traffic.
• Stay with your group and on the trails: Especially if you’re hiking, stay together and keep an eye on children. Don’t wander off the trails.

[via PetaPixel]

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