In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a man confronted a mother bear protecting her three cubs at Cades Cove. After the park visitor approached the mother bear several times, she charged at the man.
According to an onlooker, Paige Marple, who videoed the disturbing encounter, she wrote,
“In Cades Cove there are signs everywhere stating to stay 50 yards away from the animals. This man did not listen and could have died because of it. I don’t know how he’s still alive honestly. Too close of encounters. STAY AWAY FROM THE WILDLIFE.”
View video:
https://www.facebook.com/PaigeMarple/videos/2427180603995489/
The man could be heard making “tsk tsk tsk” sounds at the bears as he walked closer and closer. The cubs tried to stay away from the man, but once the mother bear looked around and saw the man trying to move closer to the cubs, she lunged towards him.
In an interview with WbirNews, Marple and others were surprised the mother bear didn’t attack the man. Visitors at the park were quick to condemn the man’s actions – many calling him an idiot.
In a statement from the park service, authorities warn visitors about interacting, feeding or getting too close to the bears.
“… We work hard to keep bears wild in a space shared with 11.4 million people. We need each and every visitor to do their part by always staying at least 50 yards back from bears and properly disposing of food waste – for their safety and that of the bears.”
Mother bears are extremely protective of their young and will aggressively defend their cubs from any harm. Leave them alone. Nature is meant to be appreciated and observed from a safe distance.
(Photos freezeshots via video by Paige Marple)
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HE’S NOT AN IDIOT–HE’S A BRAINLESS HEARTLESS LUNATIC!
IF THE BEAR HAD HURT HIM, THE POOR INNOCENT MOTHER BEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!
THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE BEARS AND LESS MORONS!