Los Angeles, California — Intense video from a hiking trail in Los Angeles where a man was charged by a black bear. The incident happened on Mt Wilson Trail inside the Angeles National Forest which is known as the backyard playground to 20+ million people in the Greater Los Angeles Metro Area. The 52,000 square miles of California is home to approximately 30,000 black bears and although Angeles National Forest is urban adjacent, the high desert mountain landscape has a healthy population of bears.
The man in the video is wearing bear bells, an old school deterrent meant to alert bears of presence before encounters but ineffective in a charging situation. As you can see the man vigorously jumps up and down trying to ring his bells to scare away the approaching bear the faint tinging had little to no effect.
Thankfully the black bear only bluff charged the hiker, a behavior meant to meant to scare or intimidate rather than an aggressive charge with the intent to harm. During a bluff charge a bear will bound on its front paws toward you but then stop short or veer off to at the last moment. Often bears retreat after a bluff charge or they may vocalize loudly.
The National Park Service advises if you can see a bluff charge is about to happen, slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak to the bear in a calm voice.
When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm. After the bear charges, slowly retreat while keeping a close eye on the bear. Let the bear know that you’re a human and that you aren’t a threat. Continue to speak to the bear in a calm voice and make it clear that you are a human.
Most importantly, DO NOT RUN during a bluff charge as it may trigger the bear to attack. Stand your ground and be ready for the bear to make contact in case the charge is not a bluff charge. Know how to protect and defend yourself in case the bear turns aggressive. Learn more about bear safety while hiking in California below.
California State Parks Safety Guidelines If You Encounter A Bear:
- Make yourself appear large. Waive your arms, yell, make a loud noise. Do not run.
- If the bear attacks, fight back aggressively. Black bear attacks are very rare.
- Notify Ranger staff immediately or call 911 to report an aggressive bear.
State Park Rangers are continuing to monitor the presence of bears within the park and are in coordination with California Department of Fish and Wildlife to relocate potentially troublesome bears. Remember to stay mindful of your surroundings and minimize your waste to keep bears away from your campsite.
