Connecticut Family Has Scare of a Lifetime When Bear Casually Joins Their Front Yard Hangout
The transitional time from summer to fall is one of the most beautiful times of year, and it's also an excellent time to explore the great outdoors. Whether you have dinner at an outdoor restaurant or simply enjoy the breeze on your porch, you don't have to do much in order to take advantage of the late summer sunshine.
However, you may not be the only one enjoying the mild weather! One Connecticut family learned this the hard way while lounging outside on their front lawn while the kids played nearby. Everyone was relaxed and blissfully unaware until one of their kids pointed out that a bear was joining their party! The shocking footage was shared on August 23 by @wearecbsnewyork, and over 10 million people have seen it so far.
OMG--that was a close call! It doesn't seem like the bear was hunting for food or feeling aggressive, but you never know what can happen when a human encounters an animal that large. Black bears can grow to massive sizes, but even small ones can do serious damage when provoked!
Related: Huge Bear Casually Strolls Through CA Neighborhood Like It's His Job
Fortunately, someone saw this big bear walking toward them while everyone else had their back turned. If you turn the volume up on the video, there's a sweet little voice yelling, "Bear coming!" Take a listen! This little lad had his eyes peeled, and he'll always be taken seriously after making a declaration like that. This is the opposite story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf!"
Even though close encounters with black bears in suburban spaces are rare, they're becoming more and more common thanks to climate change and increasing deforestation. Places near the mountains, like this Connecticut town, are beginning to become hotspots for black bear activity in neighborhoods. Rest assured--they're just passing through!
How to Handle a Bear Encounter
As I mentioned, bear encounters are rare outside of their known habitats, but it's still important to know what to do if you see a bear in the wild. Most of the time, a black bear has no interest in humans, especially not as prey. They may stand on their hind legs to get a better look or even sniff the air to identify you, but this is not an aggressive move. It's just curiosity!
It's natural to panic when startled, but fast movements like running can trigger a bear's hunting instincts. Instead, try backing away slowly while loudly talking to the bear to help them understand that you're human. Attacks are extremely rare, but bear spray can be used as a last defense. If a bear attack does occur with a black bear, fight back!
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