JACKSON, Wyo. — A video surfaced recently of a woman who was bluffed charged by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park after getting too close.
Check out this clip of a @YellowstoneNPS grizzly bear bluff charging a tourist that got too close. Darcie Addington took this from the safety of her vehicle. She doesn’t know the other woman, but says several people warned her. Remember to give bears at least 100 yards of space. pic.twitter.com/7rnMgKGNxm
— NBC Montana (@NBCMontana) May 12, 2021
The National Park Service says that bluff charges are meant to scare or intimidate. When a bear bluff charges, it will have its head and ears up and forward. The bear will usually puff itself up to look bigger and will bound on its front paws toward you moving in big leaps, but then stop short or veer off to one side.
The video, shared by NBC Montana on Twitter, said, “Darcie Addington took this from the safety of her vehicle. She doesn’t know the other woman, but says several people warned her.”
It is always safer to view bears from inside your car. Be sure to give them plenty of space if they are going to cross the road. If you do get out of your car in the presence of a bear, the National Park Service says that you should stay at least 100 yards away from a bear. Bears can run up to speeds of 30 mph which gives little or no time to react. It is always recommended to have bear spray on you where you can easily access it.
If you see someone is getting too close or not following proper etiquette, say something. Park staff can only be in so many places at once. It’s important to give bears plenty of space for our own safety, but also to make sure they don’t become comfortable being approached by humans.
