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(Trends Wide) — The National Park Service has some top tips on what not to do if you—and a friend—encounter a bear in the wild.
“If you meet a bear, never take down a slower-moving friend.” the agency wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.“even if you feel that the friendship has come to an end.”
The agency used the joke as a transition to some more serious bear safety advice.
“Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park,” the agency wrote in another tweet. “While this is an exciting time, it’s important to remember that bears in national parks are wild and can be dangerous.”
Bears of different species make their homes in various habitats in the United States. Brown or grizzly bears are found in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, while black bears can be found throughout most of the Northeast, the Appalachian Mountains, and the West Coast, plus parts of the South and Midwest.
Service information notes that as spring approaches, the bears will become more active. On its website, the National Park Service advises visitors who encounter a bear to stay away from the animal and not surprise it if it hasn’t already noticed it. If the bear notices you, you must “identify” yourself as a human by standing still, talking calmly, and waving your arms. Hikers should also travel in groups if possible.
The website also notes that bear attacks are rare but can happen.
On Twitter, users seemed more interested in friendship tips from the National Park Service than learning more about bear safety.
One user, for example, asked what they should do in the situation that “they consider me a friend, but I only consider them an acquaintance”.
“Friendships are special, but they don’t happen by chance,” the agency responded. “It takes effort and trust to build a lasting friendship. Good luck”.
