Massive Alaskan Grizzly Bear Gets Within Feet of Bystanders - NPS says situation handled correctly

[Demovictory9]

Astunning video captured a moment few are lucky enough to experience: a group of travelers in Alaska came face-to-face with a giant grizzly bear as it roamed its natural habitat. And, according to the guidelines set forth by the National Park Service (NPS), it appears the group handled the scary situation perfectly.

The clip, shown above, was posted to TikTok by user @mrsb111 on Tuesday. There, it quickly went viral, racking up a whopping 10.6 million views and counting.

It begins by showing the scene—as Alaskan forest—while a deep, monotone voice is heard repeating the phrase, "Hey, big boy." Meanwhile, a member of the group appears to whispers under their breath: "S**t."

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In the caption, TikToker @mrsb111 provided some context to the incident. "Incredible trip to Alaska," she wrote. "We [happened] to encounter a bear walking right in front of us fortunately my seaplane captain kept everyone calm."

https://www.newsweek.com/massive-alaskan-grizzly-bear-gets-within-feet-bystanders-video-viewed-10m-times-1616345

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. I love how he just walks up to the sign as if he's reading it....

Gets the info he needed and saunters off!

[dflprincess]

6. I don't know, when he turned around I expected him to go up to the guy saying "Hey bear"

and ask 'You talkin' to me?"

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. Perfect there's a picture of a bear it looks like ... he's all 'what are they saying about me?'

Then he's like 'Okay, cool, I'm out, you guys are good' ...

[Hoyt]

2. Amazing. While it means death, I'd sure like to rub his belly.

[Demovictory9]

3. get yourself a kitten intead

[Hoyt]

5. Yeah, that'll work. Had one, and will get another soon.

[Wounded Bear]

7. Just checking his latest Tindr request...

[keithbvadu2]

8. Sidney Portier and Tom Beringer meeting a grizzly.

Sidney Portier and Tom Beringer meeting a grizzly.

S... Give him some food.

T... We ARE the food.

[Disaffected]

10. Just standing there and watching him go by in close proximity

is handling the situation correctly?

[drray23]

11. yes it is.

if you run he will give chase and kill you.

[Disaffected]

12. Who said anything about running?

I would think the right action would be to back away slowly, not making eye contact, and towards a vehicle or other shelter if any near-by. I would also try to stay downwind if possible. Hell, they were even standing in the same spot when he reversed and came back.

I'm also skeptical that "talking" to the bear is helpful - who knows how the bear would interpret it?

Bears are unpredictable and the farther you are away if they suddenly get aggressive the better.

BTW, is it even true that if you run away a bear will (necessarily) give chase and kill you??

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. Talking in a low, casual voice is recommended if you enounter a bear, because it keeps you and the

bear calm.

[Buns_of_Fire]

17. Talking is okay. But lay off the "your mamma is so fat..." jokes. nt

[Disaffected]

22. Now that sounds like good advice!

[Duppers]

14. They should've backed up, imo.

Not run, which could've triggered a chace, but certainly backed up. Bear was too close.

[obamanut2012]

21. Of course it is

The pilot kept them calm and quiet.

[artemisia1]

13. Not all brown bears are grizzlies. This looks more like an Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear. /nt

[Duppers]

15. I think you're right.

https://yellowstonebearworld.com/brown-bears-vs-grizzly-bears

[DenaliDemocrat]

19. It is the access to salmon and the protein that gives

The coastal browns their massive size. The two are essentially the same bear capable of producing fertile off spring.

Strangely enough, back in the days of Lewis and Clark, there were interior grizzlies whose size rivaled the coastal browns. The followed the bison herds and all that extra protein made them huge as well

[DenaliDemocrat]

18. He's eating spawned out reds and covered in fish slime

He doesn’t give a damn about anything else. He’s in fish mode. As long as you don’t do anything stupid, bears like this are actually pretty safe.


An interior grizzly is a whole different creature

[hatrack]

20. McNeil River has never had a single visitor injury in decades of brown bear viewing . . .

As you say, they're there for the fish. Humans barely register when they're chowing down.

[Disaffected]

23. I'm guessing he's also

more than a little pungent.

A good reason in itself to back away...

[DenaliDemocrat]

25. You can see the fish slime on him

Lol. Gross

[Demovictory9]

27. Would use a whole.bottle of shampoo on that 🐻

[albacore]

24. "Fresh skivvies, please!" nt

[djm5971]

26. Wow...

That's amazing!