Bear 815 at , also known as Obsidian Sow, has become something of a local celebrity after giving birth to three cubs last year. Unfortunately, the family's popularity has led some members of the public to endanger themselves in the hopes of getting a photo of the four at close range. Last month, professional photographer found herself stuck in a bear jam as Obsidian and her three yearlings crossed a road, and could only watch as over a dozen people piled out of their cars, cameras and phones in hand, for a closer look.
She recorded the incident from inside her vehicle, and captured the moment Obsidian Sow changed direction and ran towards the assembled crowd to drive them away from her cubs. Grizzly bears prefer to avoid encounters with people, but can lash out if their or their young are threatened. Luckily for these photographers, her charge was only a bluff and once the people moved she changed course and led her three cubs to safety.
Her video (which you can see below) was shared this week via Instagram account , which calls out bad behavior at US National Parks, often involving wildlife. Emma Jacobs, professional wildlife photographer and panel judge for the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, explains that patience and care are essential for photographing wild animals. "Only photograph natural behaviors and always avoid making animals do anything to cause them harm or distress," she explains in our guide .
"That means no startling birds to get them to take flight or tempti.
