Summer is one of the best times to spot grizzly bears at US National Parks, and seeing one from a safe distance can be the highlight of your vacation. However, it's important to always give the animals plenty of space, and avoid disturbing or distracting them. A video currently circulating on social media shows what happens if you ignore Park Rangers' warnings to keep your distance.
In the clip, which was shared last week via Instagram account , a man can be seen approaching a grizzly cub with one hand outstretched, seemingly trying to coax it to approach. Bears, like most wild animals, prefer to avoid such close encounters with people, and the cub reacts by charging to drive him back. The bear moves fast and the man is forced to climb onto his car roof to escape.
Such an obstacle would prove no barrier if the animal was determined to reach him ( ), but luckily for him, the animal seems satisfied that the threat has been neutralized. It's not clear exactly where this particular clip was filmed (it was likely not in the US), but as summer gets into full swing, it's a timely reminder to respect wildlife and give animals the space they need to behave naturally. Even if they don't lash out, being approached and fed by people can lead to habituation, where animals lose their natural wariness around humans.
This increases the chances of a negative interaction in the future, as the habituated animal is more likely to approach people and settlements in search of food. If deemed a ris.