National
Don’t push a friend into a bear to save yourself, park officials say. Do this instead
Bears are acting more aggressive this year, but don’t push your friends to save yourself, the National Park Service said.
In the three-state Yellowstone region, there have been seven grizzly bear attacks in 2020, as of July 24. There is usually just one in the first six months of any year, officials told the Associated Press.
In Colorado, a 71-year-old woman came face-to-face with a bear eating watermelon in her home, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials in Vermont said bears are entering homes with aggressive behavior. North Carolina officials told McClatchy News that bears are acting more aggressively.
As bears are acting up, the National Park Service wants to make sure everyone knows what to do when face-to-face with a bear: Don’t run, and don’t push your friends to save yourself.
NPS officials put out a public service announcement Wednesday reminding people how to deal with a bear.
“If you come upon a stationary bear, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping,” NPS officials said. “Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground.”
Bears will act like dogs and chase fleeing animals. Bears also like to climb trees, so you shouldn’t think you’re safe up high.
“Do NOT climb a tree,” NPS said. “Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees. Do NOT push down a slower friend (even if you think the friendship has run its course).”
Officials said bears don’t want to attack you, and they just want to be left alone. Making noise to differentiate yourself from prey animals will help keep bears away as well. If a bear is standing, it probably is just curious, not threatening, NPS said.
“P.S. We apologize to any ‘friends’ who were brought on a hike as the ‘bait’ or were sacrificed to save the group,” NPS joked. “You will be missed.”
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