Millions have viewed the footage of a mother bear at the peak of a mountain in the Magadan region waiting for her cub as it climbs up towards her.
Many have hailed the clip, captured by a Russian man, as offering ‘never give up’ motivation to humans.
But American ecologist Jacquelyn Gill today said she disapproved, writing on Twitter: ‘Harassing wildlife for a photograph, a selfie, or a video is never okay.
‘Respect animals by giving them space, and don’t share posts where animals are clearly in distress or in danger just because someone wants to go viral’.
Wildlife experts have condemned viral drone footage of a bear cub struggling up a snow-covered slope in Russia – declaring it ‘harassment’
Many have claimed the clip, captured by a Russian man, offered ‘never give up’ motivation to humans
Dr Gill said an early part of the film clearly shows the little bear almost reaching the top of the slope where his mother is waiting.
Some have tweeted about their concern the drone may have spooked the bears, thinking it was a bird of prey.
Towards the end of the footage when the cub looks like he has made it, the drone swoops in and the mother bear appears to frantically swipe to grab her cub.
But instead of helping the youngster, she ends up dislodging the snow around it and sends it tumbling further than ever.
Mark Ditmer, a scientist at Boise State University, Idaho, claimed the drone may have disturbed the animals.
‘The bears were extremely disturbed by what definitely appears to me – based on the way it’s moving – a drone capturing a video,’ he said.
