Florida police urges locals to avoid approaching ‘depressed’ bear, no selfies

Florida Police Pleads with Public to Stop Taking Selfies with Stressed Black Bear

Recently, Florida police officers issued a warning to the public after a large male black bear was spotted along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. The bear, described as “depressed,” showed signs of severe stress due to the attention it received from passing motorists. Wildlife rangers are currently monitoring the situation and have cautioned against approaching or feeding wild bears.

Reports from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the black bear attracted a crowd of onlookers who were attempting to take selfies with the distressed animal.

“Onlookers were trying to take selfies with the bear and he’s clearly not in the mood for pictures. The bear has shown signs of severe stress,” stated the sheriff’s office on social media.

Authorities highlighted the importance of not approaching or provoking bears, especially if they display signs of aggression. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) dispatched rangers to investigate the situation after receiving reports of people stopping to photograph the bear, who was found sitting beside a telegraph pole.

By the time officers and biologists reached the scene, the bear had already wandered off into the nearby woods. An FWC spokesperson mentioned that based on the images captured, the bear appeared unharmed and might have been seeking shade due to overheating.

It’s common to spot black bears in various parts of Florida, especially during the spring and summer seasons when juvenile bears venture out to find new habitats. The FWC emphasized that bears usually move away on their own without human intervention.

For public safety, it is crucial to give bears ample space, avoid approaching them, and never attempt to feed them. The spokesperson directed individuals to the bearwise.org website for more information and advised maintaining a safe distance from wildlife.

Responses to the incident on social media varied, with many sympathizing with the bear’s plight. One user humorously remarked, “If I were a bear, I’d be stressed with traffic like this.” Another cautioned against endangering oneself by bothering the bear, stating, “Leave the bear alone folks! Or become a Darwin Award Winner!”

According to the FWC, approximately 4,050 black bears live in the wild in Florida, making encounters with these majestic creatures a possibility.