• Outdoors Outdoors

Onlooker captures unbelievable video of tourist risking their life near grizzly bears: 'Start fining and banning these people'

"Why do people think this is okay?"

"Why do people think this is okay?"

Photo Credit: Instagram

A recent Instagram Reel is drawing widespread attention — and outrage — after capturing a tourist dangerously close to two grizzly bears, including a cub, in Yellowstone National Park.

The video, shared by TouronsOfYellowstone (@touronsofyellowstone), shows a person filming two grizzly bears from an alarmingly close distance. The bears — a mother and her cub — appear on edge, shifting and glancing toward the tourist, who seems more interested in getting a good shot than staying safe.

It's a striking example of what not to do in the wild. Yellowstone's safety guidelines are clear: stay at least 100 yards away from bears. Getting closer isn't just reckless — it's harmful. If a bear feels threatened and defends itself, even a provoked attack can lead to the animal being euthanized.

These incidents speak to a larger issue: the growing friction between people and wildlife as our encounters become more frequent. From raccoons in urban neighborhoods to coyotes roaming suburbs and bears exploring backyards, human activity has increasingly blurred the boundaries of wild spaces.

And while these moments can be visually breathtaking, they require us to adopt more mindful behavior to support healthy coexistence.

Grizzlies, like all wildlife, play a vital role in maintaining balanced ecosystems. When humans ignore park rules or treat wild animals like tourist attractions, we're not just risking safety — we're disrupting the delicate rhythm of nature. It's a reminder that sharing the planet means acting with respect, not entitlement.

Commenters were quick to voice their frustrations.

"Start fining and banning these people for life. These beautiful animals deserve better," a viewer commented.

"Why do people think this is okay?" another added.

A third summed up the complexity of situations like these: "So if the Bear kills a touron, doesn't the park ranger still kill the bear?"

If we want to continue enjoying these powerful connections to nature, we need to earn that privilege. That means giving wildlife space, following local guidelines, and remembering that real respect doesn't come with a camera click.

Should tourists be responsible for cleaning up their own trash?

Absolutely 👏

In most cases 👍

It depends on the place 🤔

No, they shouldn't 👎

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