It is illegal to wake a sleeping bear to take a photograph

The Short Answer

Alaska state law prohibits waking a sleeping bear for the purposes of taking a photograph or for any other reason. The law is designed to protect both bears and humans from dangerous wildlife encounters.

The Full Story

Alaska's abundant bear population creates unique legal and safety challenges. The prohibition on waking sleeping bears emerged from practical wildlife safety concerns. Bears that are disturbed during sleep can become aggressive and dangerous, posing serious risk to humans who approach them. Beyond the obvious danger to humans, the law also protects the bears themselves, as disturbance can alter their hibernation patterns and natural behaviors.

The law reflects Alaska's broader philosophy of respecting wildlife and maintaining natural habitats. Waking a bear for a selfie or photograph represents exactly the kind of human-wildlife interaction that wildlife protection laws seek to prevent. The regulation has become increasingly relevant as wildlife tourism and social media have driven more people to seek close-up animal encounters for photos.

Common Misconceptions

Many people assume this is a joke law or internet hoax due to its seemingly obvious nature. Others believe it only applies in national parks, when it's actually statewide. Some think it's only enforced if someone gets injured, but violations can be prosecuted even without harm occurring.

Actual Legal Text

A person may not intentionally disturb, harass, or molest a bear, including but not limited to waking a sleeping bear for any purpose including photography