NBC Montana shared the clip on Wednesday. In it, a woman stands at the edge of a forested area and films a group of bears gathered several feet away. One bear, however, appears to take issue with the intruder and charges straight towards her. Audible gasps are heard from behind the camera. The woman quickly puts away her phone and walks away while the bear, having made its point, slows down.
The footage was reportedly filmed by Darcie Addington “from the safety of her vehicle.” Addington told the news outlet that “she doesn’t know the other woman” but added that “several people warned her” about getting too close to the bear.
According to NBC Montana, Yellowstone National Park officials are aware of the video and they are investigating the incident. The bear reportedly came within 15 feet of the tourist, a dangerously close margin.
In an email to the news outlet, Yellowstone National Park public affairs officials noted that “wild animals are unpredictable and dangerous.”
“Every year people are injured when they approach animals too closely,” they wrote. “Animals that attack people may need to be relocated or killed. To protect yourself and the animals you come to watch, always remain at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears or wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 meters) from all other wildlife.”
Meanwhile, on Twitter, wildlife-lovers are expressing their frustration with the tourist in the video. “Standing that close to an apex predator that can weigh over 1,000 pounds and run 30 mph in full sprint is nothing short of irresponsible,” wrote John A. Duerk. “The bear could have easily mauled or killed her within seconds.”
This latest incident comes just weeks after a man was tragically mauled by a grizzly in Yellowstone. Carl Mock, 40, had his left hand “chomped up” by the bear and his skull “punctured” by one of its teeth. After emergency surgery, Mock was placed in a medically-induced coma, but he subsequently suffered a fatal stroke. The bear was later shot by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials.
