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Visitors getting too close to bears, creating ‘unsafe’ situation at Taylor Creek

Tribune staff report

The U.S. Forest Service is threatening to close the Taylor Creek area to the public if visitors continue to disregard directions to stay away from bears, according to a Friday news release.

Human interaction with bears has reached “an unsafe level” at the creek, where Kokanee salmon continue to spawn, the Forest Service reported. Guests are frequently ignoring instructions from Taylor Creek Visitor Center staff and getting too close to bears to take photos and videos.

The Forest Service said the behavior is creating unsafe situations.



“Bears are unpredictable, wild animals and may attack if threatened,” Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson said in a statement. “We can’t have visitors creating dangerous situations for themselves and others. People are risking serious injury or death if they get too close to a bear.”

The agency added that approaching bears too closely is also putting the animals at risk, since bears could be captured and killed if they attack.



A continuous disregard of directions to stay away from bears could lead to the Forest Service closing the area.

The Forest Service said visitors at Taylor Creek should stay on trails, respect wildlife and keep a safe distance from bears. For more information, go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/bear.html.


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