Tourists at Yellowstone National Park got a little too up close and personal with nature recently when they decided to get dangerously close to a bear for a photo op. While most people would opt for a zoom lens and stay a safe distance away, these thrill-seekers thought it would be a great idea to cozy up to a wild animal for the perfect Instagram shot.
One witness, who goes by the name of Sarah McLaughlin, described the scene as “absolutely ridiculous. These people were practically hugging the bear, trying to get the perfect selfie. It was like they had a death wish or something.”
Park rangers were quick to intervene, warning the tourists of the dangers of getting too close to wildlife. But one particularly stubborn tourist, who we’ll call Joe Schmoe, brushed off the warnings, claiming he wanted to “show his friends back home just how brave he was.”
In a hilarious turn of events, the bear eventually got fed up with all the attention and chased the tourists away, prompting one onlooker to exclaim, “I told them not to poke the bear, but they just wouldn’t listen!”
In response to the incident, park officials have issued a statement reminding visitors to respect the wildlife and keep a safe distance at all times. But it seems some people just can’t resist the lure of a good photo op, even if it means risking life and limb.
As for the bear, who we’ll call Mr. Cuddles, he was last seen enjoying a peaceful nap in the shade, undisturbed by the chaos he caused. Let this be a lesson to all aspiring Instagram influencers out there: sometimes, it’s better to just zoom in from afar.
