Wildlife has always fascinated people and having the opportunity to get up close with certain species seems to be on a lot of people's 'to-do-lists'. However, I think a combination of amazing videography on documentaries and certain youtube clips have given people a false idea of how wild animals behave. At times while I was guiding in bear country in Canada, some guests I was in charge of taking care of were quite blasé about their own safety. For me, this can be a typical sight of a large bear foraging along a salmon spawning river, acknowledging my presence but the bear is unaffected by me standing there, which is a good thing! However, I have had to grab people to stop them from walking up to these animals because they thought "it was not an aggressive animal"
When a large wild animal that has the capability to severely injury you in an instant is close by.. listen to your guides and show a little respect.
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