Bear cub 'could be shot dead' because she is too friendly to humans

Experts warn 'very rare' behaviour poses safety risk in future

The female bear cub was caught on camera sniffing the snowboarders leg before climbing aboard (Brian Jordan)

A bear cub was caught on video “making friends” with snowboarders in California – and now faces being put down, according to wildlife experts.

The furry animal approached the group on the slopes of Northstar near Lake Tahoe and even climbed onto a snowboard as if hoping for a ride.

Brian Jordan posted the film on Instagram, adding: “Made a friend today. Yeah I’m pretty sure it’s not the best for the cub, and momma was on vacation or something but it was too cool not to say whaddup.”

Ann Bryant, executive director for the Bear League, told NBC the female cub may have approached humans because her mother had died and she was looking for food.

“This is very rare,” Ms Bryant added. “This cub approached people because she didn’t know any better.”

The bear has now been taken in by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess whether this friendliness poses a safety risk in future.

”Let’s say she goes back into the wild and she grows up and adds about two to three hundred pounds on to her weight,” said Ms Bryant.

“She’s big, she’s strong, and she still thinks she can approach people? That’s not going to be good and somebody is going to shoot her.”

Officials will now decide whether to put the bear cub in a sanctuary or put her down.