A guide in Yellowstone National Park on Monday documented “a prime example of what not to do” as a grizzly bear family crossed a highway lined with tourists.
Andrea Baratte, who captured the accompanying footage, referred mostly to the photographer with the tripod, just yards from momma grizzly as she tried to lead her yearling cubs across the road.
“As much as visitors enjoy seeing grizzly bears in Yellowstone, this is a prime of example on what not to do,” Baratte, who guides for Yellowstone Adventure Tours, explained via 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. ”
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Yellowstone guidelines mandate that tourists stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. In cases where that might not be possible, visitors should exercise enough common sense to create a safe environment for themselves and the animals.
“It was an insane day,” Baratte told For The Win Outdoors.
Viewers might note the photographer down the slope, far from any vehicles, at the beginning of the footage. Had the bears attempted to pass in his direction, the situation could have turned dicey.
What also stands out is the elderly person returning to the silver truck with the bears approaching. The person, who appears to be limping, turns to snap one last photo, but smartly abandons that plan in favor of accessing the vehicle.
Thankfully, momma bear did not perceive the crowd as a major threat and calmly led her cubs back into the wilderness.