BEAR-Y CUTE
What is Mexico’s ‘Selfie Bear’ and why is it famous?
A SUPER-friendly bear has won scores of fans worldwide after it rested its chin on a woman's shoulder and gazed into her camera.
But what does the future pose for Mexico's 'Selfie Bear' and is it at risk of being relocated to a zoo?
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What is 'Selfie Bear'
A 130kg black bear pictured putting its paws on hikers and inspecting them in northern Mexico has been dubbed 'Selfie Bear' by thrilled park visitors.
The bear has appeared along hiking trails in the Chipinque park on the outskirts of the northern city of Monterrey.
The hikers kept their cool when the curious beast approached them from behind.
The encounter occurred at a popular trail at Chipinque Ecological Park in San Pedro Garza García.
Footage shows a woman standing very still as a black bear, perched on its hind legs, approaches and sniffs her.
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Behind her, two other female hikers manage to remain calm as they watch the bear inspect their friend.
The animal briefly drops onto the ground, but suddenly lurches back onto its hind legs again and presses himself against the woman.
The woman later shared her incredible selfie snapped during the heart-stopping encounter in a video that went viral around the world.
Days later, the black bear made more headlines after sniffing a female hiker before suddenly hugging her leg as she tried to slowly walk away.
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How did Mexico's 'Selfie Bear' become famous?
A black bear became famous after a hiker in Mexico posted a photo of the animal appearing to rest its chin on her shoulder and look into the camera, as if it were posing for a selfie.
The bear was a bit taller than the woman, who was with pals on a hike.
Video of the group's encounter was also posted via social media - going viral.
Unfortunately the surprise encounters have raised concerns among park officials.
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In a statement, they said: "This type of approach by the black bear to the visitor is an abnormal behaviour caused by humans.
"The interaction shown in the video should have been avoided.
"Following the video that is circulating on social networks about the risky interaction of the black bear with a visitor, first of all we want to communicate that we are relieved that people left unscathed."
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They recommended people seeing bears at the park should "move away and not get closer; however we see that the person seeks to take a photo.
"Chipinque will take strict measures before visitors who put their life and/or wildlife at risk."
Park officials plan to trap the bear and relocate it.
But this proposal has annoyed animal activists.
They pointed out that none of the hikers in “bear selfies” were wearing masks, which are required in many public places for the coronavirus pandemic.
Some suggested the hikers, not the bear, were the problem, with one Internet meme showing a photo of a bear and the phrase, “Stay at home so I don’t have to be relocated.”
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An online campaign has been launched opposing plans by authorities to use non-lethal traps for the animal so it can be relocated.
An online petition at Change.org has attracted more than 135,000 signatures against relocating the bear outside the park or to a zoo.
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The area's environmental protection office said there were no plans to take the bear to a zoo.
But officials did say the bear was a repeat offender and would be moved to another area, though it was unclear if that meant the same township or elsewhere.
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