Tragic Twist: Italian Tourist’s Selfie with Bears Turns Fatal Just 24 Hours Later
Feeding Bears Is Prohibited In Romania, But Omar Zin Ignored Signs
Omar Farang Zin/FacebookA photograph taken by Omar Zin of a brown bear approaching him.
“He got off the motorcycle and offered food to the bear,” Argeş Forestry Department director Armand Chiriloiu told the Romanian outlet Observator News. “The Italian tourist’s phone was also found in which there are some photos prior to the attack. With the bear approaching, [Zin] was getting closer.”
Authorities emphasized that feeding bears is prohibited, and signs posted along Transfagarasan road warn of this in both Romanian and English. Even if someone can’t read those languages, the accompanying images make the message clear. Zin reportedly stopped to feed the bears right in front of one of these signs.
When he got too close, however, the mother bear attacked him and dragged him off into the forest. Drivers who saw the scene called emergency services to alert local authorities. Dozens of police officers, firefighters, and armed foresters arrived at the scene shortly after.
By the time they located Omar Farang Zin an hour later, however, it was too late. The bear then set its sights on the emergency responders.
Omar Farang Zin/FacebookOmar Farang Zin lived in Samarate, Italy, in the northern region of Lombardy.
“The bear followed us all the time,” said Argeş Mountain Rescuer Dragoş Onea. “She was very agitated. She attacked us a few times too. We also had the [hunters] from Silvic. They were always pointed with the rifle at her.”
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