Camera-happy bear goes on selfie spree, snaps more than 400 photos

Taking one or two selfies at a time seems like a reasonable amount, but how about more than 400?

It happened. The other surprising element to this piece of information is that it wasn't a person who took them, it was a bear. In November 2022, the animal happened to find itself in front of a wildlife motion-activated camera near Boulder, Colo., accidentally setting off a series of captures -- more than 400 photographs, according to city officials.

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Since news of its photo-taking spree went viral, the animal has been named "Selfie Bear," grabbing headlines across numerous media outlets around the world.

"Wildlife cameras help us learn what animals are out there and what they're up to over the course of a day, a week, or even years. And sometimes, that means taking a bunch of selfies, just like us," the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) said in a news release.

(City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP))

The department has nine cameras on its 18,615.54-hectare land system to help staff learn more about how wildlife species use the local environment while minimizing human presence in sensitive habitats.

OSMP wildlife cameras start operating when an animal steps in front of them. Once that happens, the cameras capture a still photograph and have the ability to record video for 10-30 seconds, according to OSMP. At nighttime, the cameras incorporate infrared light to make pictures to minimize disturbances to nocturnal animals.

"We are fortunate to live in an area with a rich diversity of wildlife species, and these cameras help us to learn what animals are really out there, and what they are up to over the course of a day, a week, or even years," said Will Keeley, senior wildlife ecologist for OSMP, in a news release.

(City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP))

Cameras have been set up in corridors where wildlife is likely to travel. OSMP also puts cameras in locales where there are signs of wildlife activity, whether it's footprints in the snow or in trails crossing fence lines.

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While Selfie Bear managed to take more than 400 photos, OSMP kept the best 24 pictures that entertained staff the most.

"Those photos may have captured a unique look, but we think the ones we kept are pretty good, too," OSMP said.

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Thumbnail courtesy of City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP).

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