There are two simple rules when it comes to black bears:
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- Don't feed them.
- Don't run from them.
Pretty simple, right? However, some people are still unaware of this, including a group of visitors to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Someone from the city, located next to the Smoky Mountains National Park, where an estimated 1,500 black bears live, recorded a woman blatantly disregarding these regulations.
What Happened in the Video?
In the clip shared with Storyful, a black bear walks toward a group of tourists. Instead of following the two basic rules, they remain in place.
One woman kneels for a closer look and appears to offer the bear a snack. The animal sniffs, swipes, and then moves away from the tourists.
Kristopher S. Underwood, who filmed the incident, told NBC News that he found the careless behavior of those in his video "mind-blowing."
Why Shouldn't You Feed or Run From Black Bears?
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website notes that black bears "are one of Tennessee's state treasures and no other animal exemplifies the wilderness experience like them."
The agency recommends that people never feed or approach bears to avoid any dangerous encounters. Should one approach you, it suggests making "your presence known by yelling and shouting at the bear in an attempt to scare it away."
"Stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, yell and throw rocks or sticks until it leaves the area," the agency says.
Running from a black bear will "often trigger its natural instinct to chase."
It also says that giving food to black bears is "socially irresponsible and causes animals to become conditioned and habituated to people."
"Bears that habituate to human presence eventually become a threat to human safety."
In Gatlinburg, where the incident took place, "approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal." Doing so could result in fines and/or an arrest.
Check out the video below to learn what not to do when a black bear approaches. Remember to respect the rules: never feed or approach bears. Your safety—and theirs—depends on it.
