Florida drivers tried to take selfie with 'depressed' black bear, sheriff says

Florida deputies are reminding residents to keep their distance near bears after onlookers attempted to take a selfie with a "depressed" black bear on Thursday.

*Video above: Black bear spotted in Florida's North Port community.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Florida deputies are reminding residents to keep their distance from bears after onlookers tried to take a selfie with a "depressed" black bear on Thursday.

The black bear was spotted hunched over near a telephone pole on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the Walton County Sheriff's Office said.

The bear was "clearly not in the mood for pictures" and showed signs of severe stress, the sheriff's office said.

"Famous last words, 'If not friend, why friend shaped?' Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest," officials said on social media.

Some social media users commented about the picture-taking.

"I’m the one that called Florida Fish and Wildlife," Stacie Webb posted on Facebook. "I can’t believe the amount of people stopping for pics but not calling for help!"

User Whitney Michelle wrote, "I have multiple friends who saw him and people were lined up taking pictures of him again."

Another user, Cindy Mayo Harris, said, "The fact that you have to tell people not to approach bears and take selfies with them is mind boggling."

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the sighting.

"PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH black bears at any time. Especially those that are showing aggression like this big fella," the sheriff's office said.

In Florida, it’s illegal to intentionally feed bears or leave food or garbage out to attract them. To prevent bear sightings, officials recommend securing trash cans. People can also scare bears away by yelling, using an air horn or anything else that makes a lot of noise.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as bear sightings become common in the warmer months:

• Secure food and garbage and put it out in the morning rather than the night before
• Protect gardens, compost, and livestock with electric fencing
• Pick ripe fruit from any plants or trees and remove called fruit from the ground
• Slow down when driving, especially on rural highways and at dawn and dusk
• Remove or secure bird and wildlife feeders
• Never leave pet food outside
• Clean and store grills and smokers after each use
• Alert neighbors of bear activity

Anyone who sees a bear is asked to contact the agency’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.