Man mauled to death trying to take a selfie with a bear
Digital Reporter
Friday, May 4, 2018, 2:05 PM - A man in Odisha, India was mauled to death after apparently trying to take a selfie with an injured bear, the Independent reports.
Prabhu Bhatara was on his was on his way home from a wedding when he spotted the bear and tried to get a photograph, despite warnings from the other passengers in his SUV.
Forest ranger Dhanurjaya Mohapatra said Mr. Bhatara "died on the spot," adding the bear is being treated for its injuries.
It's unclear when the incident took place, but disturbing video of Bhatara struggling with the bear surfaced on YouTube Thursday.
INSTAGRAM CRACKS DOWN ON ANIMAL SELFIES
It's never a good idea to take a selfie with a wild animal, but the trend continues to flourish online.
In December, the social media photo-sharing site Instagram took steps to discourage the practice by issuing a warning to users who search for popular terms associated with animal selfies.
"Whether you're trying to capture a perfect photo or take a selfie, we encourage you to be mindful of the environment around you," Instagram says in an online statement.
(RELATED: RATTLESNAKE SELFIE LANDS MAN $150,000 HOSPITAL BILL)
"It's easy to get caught up in the moment when you're surrounded by nature's beauty, but risking damage to the environment—whether it's walking on wildflowers, moving a nest or carving initials—is never worth a few likes."
The sentiment is echoed almost unanimously by animal advocates.
"Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival," The National Park Service says on its website.
In U.S. national parks, regulations require guests stay at least 23 m from all wildlife and at least 91 m away from bears and wolves.
"Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury, and even death. The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules," The service says.
Source: The Independent
