The office described the bear as “stressed, depressed, lemon yellow.”
Florida authorities are urging people to stop taking selfies with a “depressed bear” spotted on the side of the road. According to social media posts from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the black bear has attracted a lot of unwanted attention after making himself at home along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach earlier this week. The office described the bear as “stressed, depressed, lemon peel.”
''Walton County Sheriff's Office officers are monitoring a bear on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach. Bystanders attempted to take selfies with the bear, but he is not in the mood for photos. The bear is showing signs of severe stress,'' the post read.
''PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH black bears. Especially ones that show aggression like this big guy,'' the post added.
See the message here:
Famous last words: “If not a friend, why be friend-formed?”
Because this black bear is stressed, lemon peel is depressed.
Deputies with the Walton County Sheriff's Office monitor a bear on the north side of Highway 98, near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach.
Bystanders tried… photo.twitter.com/boRdiLucZG
— Walton County Sheriff (@WCSOFL) July 18, 2024
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called to the scene after the sheriff reported “a large group of bystanders stopped to take pictures of the bear.” By the time the FWC arrived, the bear had left the area and wandered into the woods.
Experts concluded that the bear did not appear to be injured, based on photos taken by bystanders. “He may simply have been overheated and was resting before continuing,” the FWC said in a statement.
Black bears are commonly seen in various parts of Florida, especially during the spring and summer months.
''Normally, bears will move on their own. If you see a bear, give it space, do not attempt to approach it, and never feed it. It is never advisable to crowd around a bear, as bears can become defensive if threatened. Always give bears as much space as possible,'' the spokesperson advised.
According to FWC figures, there are an estimated 4,050 black bears living in the wild in Florida. In Florida, it is illegal to intentionally feed bears or to place food or garbage to attract them.
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