Scenic Bear Company is a Homer, AK-based expedition company that takes guests on guided tours to see bears on the wild remote beaches of the Alaskan coast. Though the bears are generally accustomed to their human visitors, wild animals are unpredictable, after all. During one recent expedition, a charging grizzly bear was caught in a scary video.
The company uploaded the video to its Instagram account, noting that you should never run from a charging bear, even though that might be your first impulse. The behavior the bear exhibits in the video is called a "bluff charge," as the animals have a natural chase instinct and will attempt to get you to run.
As you can see in the below clip, even with a several-hundred-pound bear hurtling at the group, they held their ground and made noises to scare off the creature. One guide even ran towards the bear, which predictably retreated once it got close.
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A caption accompanying the video points out that you should never approach bears in the wild, and in this instance, the bears came to them.
"These bears are not fed or hunted by humans," the company writes, adding that no harm is being done to the animals and they want to keep it that way. "We take photos of the bears and leave no trace. There has never been an attack in this area in the 30 years people have visited. We follow a strict set of rules while guiding and bring protection."
In fact, bear attacks are exceedingly rare. According to the National Park Service, most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space. But in the event you do encounter a bear attack, being mentally prepared can help you have the most effective reaction.
The agency also recommends that people keep a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife, and 100 yards from predators such as bears and wolves. And of course, it goes without saying that you should never, ever taunt bears in the wild.
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