A wayward black bear has been spotted roaming around Canonsburg neighborhoods this week, prompting borough police to take to social media to urge people to use caution if they encounter the wild animal.

As an addendum to that message, we urge those who feel compelled to take a selfie with the bear to consider their safety.

The bear is not interested in mugging for a photo but rather locating its next meal and, if it’s a mama bear, keeping watch over her offspring.

Far too many instances of people attempting to capture pictures with a wild animal have ended badly, some resulting in serious injury and death.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers this advice for bear encounters: Make your presence known by yelling, waving your arms, and slowly backing away.

Give the bear an escape route and avoid sudden movements. Yell, clap, or use an air horn to scare a bear away. And never approach or corner a bear.

— Observer-Reporter, Washington, Pa.