Caught on camera: Watch bears surprise humans in the most unusual places
For a bear, the bare necessities of life are simple; something to eat, somewhere to sleep, and some way to have a little fun from time to time. And increasingly, that’s put them in contact with humans!
In recent years, there’s been an upswing in the bear populations of several states. And as our towns and cities expand into giant suburban sprawls, so we’ve encroached on the bears’ habitats.
Naturally, familiarity breeds contempt. So, while bears may once have been skittish around people, they’re now more used to having us around and have consequently become emboldened.
Bears have also learned that our garbage can be a tasty food source. Throw in the fact that our houses, cars, yards, and everything in them appear to be an amusement arcade for many bears, and it’s no wonder that bear sightings in residential neighborhoods have spiraled.
Watch the video to see an amazing collection of caught-on-camera wild bear encounters.
However, as long as people show respect and recognize that these are not cute and cuddly teddy bears but wild animals, it is possible for humans and bears to co-exist peacefully. Indeed, according to the National Park Service, the odds of being attacked by a bear are 1 in 2.1 million. Even in a worst-case scenario, that means a person is more likely to be killed by a bee than a bear.
But you’ve got to play it smart. According to advice from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are several things you can do to decrease the chance of a bad bear encounter. And while the information is focused on grizzly bears in traditional bear country, it can equally well apply to nuisance bears in your neighborhood.
As you’ve seen, bears can provide some wonderful viral moments when they stray into homes and gardens. But it always pays to remember that we’re on their turf.
Watch all 15 of our best bear moments below!
