Kimberly Mendoza, 17, and a friend encountered a black bear while walking in the woods near Lake George in Mammoth, California. The pair attempted to retreat but were blocked by fallen tree branches and did not want to turn their backs on the bear. Video footage captured the bear approaching and pawing at the friend, who swiped away the paw, causing the bear to leave them. The video has gone viral on TikTok with over 4.4 million views since being posted in late July.
In the rare event of encountering a black bear, the National Parks Service advises remaining calm and speaking in a low, controlled manner to avoid provoking the bear. If a black bear attacks, it is recommended to fight back rather than playing dead and seek safety in a secure location as soon as possible. Bear attacks are rare, and bears that approach people are usually interested in protecting their food, cubs, or space. By following these guidelines, individuals can help minimize the risk of conflict with black bears in the wild.
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