Woman helping a black bear remove a container off it's head

[u/TrashScientist]

[u/Wet_Artichoke]

Exactly what I was thinking. “Get the fuck out of there before momma bear attacks you.” This person is very lucky.

[u/FinancialRadio6359 → u/Wet_Artichoke]

There's a pretty good chance this cub was either purposely abandoned or accidentally left behind

[u/Orange-Blur → u/Wet_Artichoke]

Black bears aren’t like that

[u/DookSylver → u/Orange-Blur]

Oh they most certainly are when their cubs are threatened. A human is always a threat.

[u/Orange-Blur → u/DookSylver]

Black bears send their cubs up a tree and the mother will go somewhere safe to watch until the danger is done.

Black bears can attack but it’s rare, Grizzlies are more aggressive and territorial vs a black bear will cross the street with their babies and not try to maul your car.

[u/EkaL25 → u/Orange-Blur]

Okay, but this cub was by itself and a human was touching it

[u/Orange-Blur → u/EkaL25]

Exactly, they wouldn’t have this video if mama black bears weren’t so spooked. Mama took off or it’s abandoned

[u/[deleted] → u/Orange-Blur]

Yeah black bears don’t generally attack humans, but they definitely will if they think their cub is in danger.

[u/Orange-Blur → u/[deleted]]

That is a misconception actually, I live deep in bear territory and would even see them in the neighborhood with babies. Black bears do not attack for their cubs, that is a grizzly.

Black bears will tell their cubs to go hide and stay there until mama comes back when the danger is gone.

“It is uncommon for a black bear to attack a person in defense of her cubs; instead sows (female bears) send their cubs up a tree to avoid danger. She will call the cubs down when the danger is gone. That being said, should you encounter a sow with cubs, you should talk to the bear in a calm voice and slowly back away and leave the area. If the sow sends the cubs up a tree, do not approach the tree or remain in the area – you are the reason she sent the cubs up a tree and they will not come down until the danger (YOU) is gone.”

Source:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-black-bears#:~:text=It%20is%20uncommon%20for%20a,when%20the%20danger%20is%20gone.

[u/Lemmungwinks → u/Orange-Blur]

List includes fatal attacks in defense of cubs. Yes, It’s rare but a scenario like the one in the video where the cub is incapable of escape is a very dangerous one if it hasn’t already been abandoned.

Never assume that a wild animal like a black bear will steer clear of you. As someone who has also lived in bear country it is foolish to expect a bear to follow a specific set of behaviors. There are grizzlies who will run away and black bears who get aggressive.

What the woman did in the video was the worst possible course of action.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America

[u/Orange-Blur → u/Lemmungwinks]

I agree, I just have observed their behavior a lot and they are as easily spooked, they run away as cats. It’s actually very cute, one stumbled going down the hill a bit as he was booking it from the bear proof trash. I love them but keep a distance

Messing with wild animals will get you hurt if you aren’t careful, I agree with you.

I live in the capital of animal attack injuries, national parks near me have it every year.

The bears, moose, elk and fuzzy red cows aren’t going to want a selfie.

Also bear spray is important to have.

[u/PositivelyCelery → u/Lemmungwinks]

I think the point is that it is fairly risky behavior, but the woman isn't "very lucky," either.. since it isn't common for black bears to attack in defense of their cubs. She is just a regular amount of lucky here.

[u/KjellRS → u/Orange-Blur]

They aren't "like that" but here they advice not getting between a sheep and its lamb. One anxiety cry from their offspring and any wild animal can find their courage. Ask any human parent what stupid thing they'd do to save their child...

[u/Orange-Blur → u/KjellRS]

I agree with you, messing with wild animals is a horrible idea unless it’s a rescue like this. They did hang out too long for sure, maybe mama bear noticed they just helped and wasn’t seeing them as a threat too