Illinois woman gets jail time for Yellowstone grizzly bear encounter caught on video
YELLOWSTONE Nationwide PARK, Wyo. (NEXSTAR) — A judge has sentenced an Illinois girl to 4 times in jail for not transferring away while a grizzly bear with two cubs bought dangerously shut to her in Yellowstone Countrywide Park.
20-5-12 months-previous Samantha R. Dehring of Carol Stream, Illinois, pleaded guilty Wednesday to willfully remaining, approaching and photographing wildlife in 100 yards.
Which is the authorized restrict for individuals to method wolves and bears in Yellowstone, but prosecutors say Dehring held taking pictures as the bear obtained nearer than that Could 10.
When the grizzly sow and her two cubs approached the team, witnesses mentioned all of the site visitors except for Dehring went back to their cars and trucks, according to the Billings Gazette.
The bear ultimately bluff-charged, working at Dehring but turning away with out attacking. Dehring’s legal professional did not return a phone message Thursday trying to get comment.
“Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are, in truth, wild. The park is not a zoo exactly where animals can be viewed in just the safety of a fenced enclosure. They roam freely in their natural habitat and when threatened will react accordingly,” Performing United States Attorney Bob Murray said in a information launch. “Approaching a sow grizzly with cubs is totally foolish. Right here, pure luck is why Dehring is a legal defendant and not a mauled tourist.”
On May perhaps 25, Yellowstone National Park shared an impression of the female and asked for assist pinpointing her.
Courtroom documents mentioned that a idea from the public led investigators to the woman’s Facebook page, exactly where she posted photos of the grizzlies with the caption “absolutely floored by the beauty of this location,” the Gazette experiences.
Yellowstone Countrywide Park officials say there is an regular of one particular bear attack for every yr in the park and suggest that persons by no means feed or solution the animals and use a vehicle horn to generate them away if they get too close to a car or truck. Hikers and campers should take these methods if they have a near experience with a bear.
The Involved Push contributed to this report.
