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Denver Water: Stop trying to take selfies with bears in Waterton Canyon

WATERTON CANYON - A well-traveled recreation and hiking area outside of Denver is closed because people were spotted with selfie sticks trying to capture the perfect photo... with wild bears. 
Bear file photo

WATERTON CANYON - A well-traveled recreation and hiking area outside of Denver is closed because people were spotted with selfie sticks trying to capture the perfect photo... with wild bears. 

Seriously.

That's according to Denver Water, the owner and operator of Waterton Canyon, which they decided to close to the public on Aug. 28. 

"We've actually seen people using selfie sticks to try and get as close to the bears as possible, sometimes within 10 feet of wild bears," said Brandon Ransom, Denver Water's manager of recreation. "The current situation is not conducive for the safety of our visitors or the well-being of the wildlife."

Denver Water posted on their blog, explaining their reasoning behind the seasonal closure. 

READ: Denver Water blogs about seasonal closure due to bears and people with selfie sticks.

The Waterton Canyon and Strontia Springs Reservoir area is popular with cyclists, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts as bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and 40 species of birds are commonly spotted in the area southwest of Denver, along the border of Jefferson and Douglas counties.

It's not uncommon to see bears this time of year, either, but it's the people who are forcing Denver Water to close the area until further notice. 

Overeager nature photographers trying to get in the photo with mama bears foraging the canyon with their cubs is 'asking for trouble,' Denver Water wrote in their blog post.

With more than 100,000 visitors a year, Waterton Canyon is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in Colorado, according to Denver Water. It serves as the access point for Denver Water employees to get to Strontia Springs Reservoir, so the roads are generally well-maintained. 

Mobile users watch here: http://bit.ly/1F2WkFh 

They call the closure unfortunate, but for the safety of the public, they say the area will remain closed until bear activity subsides. 

No word on when humans' fascination with the selfie stick will subside, however. 

(© 2015 KUSA)

 

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