Denver canyon closed because too many tourists are taking 'selfies' with wild bears

There was a time when it would have been enough to have crept out into the emptiness of a nature reserve and caught a glimpse of something such as a wild bear. Clicking a picture of the creature would have cemented the event as a truly red letter day.

But nowadays, that is not enough. For some people, at least, a visit to the Waterton Canyon in Denver (USA) is not complete with clicking a selfie with the bears.

Cinnamon-colored black bear, seen here eating dandelions in Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada

So many visitors have been spotted with selfie sticks among their equipment, that officials with Denver Water – which owns and operates the canyon - have closed the area out of concern for safety.

Map of the Waterton Canyon

Said a manager with Denver Water,

“We’ve actually seen people using selfie sticks to try and get as close to the bears as possible, sometimes within three metres of wild bears. The current situation is not conducive for the safety of our visitors or the well-being of the wildlife.”

A fox being spotted in Waterton Canyon

With more than 100,000 visitors a year, the Waterton Canyon is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in Colorado, often visited by cyclists, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and 40 species of birds are commonly spotted in the area.

Denver Water has posted on its blog,

“Hopefully, we’ll reopen the canyon soon. But there will come a time when we’ll have to close it again. So when we do, know that it’s done to maintain a safe environment for the recreational users and workers who share the canyon.”

And an advice from Denver Water’s blog?

“Oh, and the next time you see a bear in the woods, or even your front yard, please put down the selfie stick.”

A bighorn sheep

Think you can bring your selfie stick everywhere? Click here to find out more!

(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)