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Alaska Hikers Don’t Move an Inch When Bear Runs Past Them

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Author Josie Messeter

bear runs past hikers
Image by @BarstoolOutdoors via YouTube
  • A group of hikers is sitting next to a river when a massive bear runs past them, but being so used to Alaskan wildlife, they don’t even flinch.
  • Alaska is the state with the highest concentration of bears in the U.S.
  • Roughly 130,000 bears (some of which polar bears) call Alaska home.

This video shows an event that would make most people run for their lives: a bear runs past them, barely feet away from a group of hikers. We can only assume that they are weathered residents who are used to the wild wildlife of Alaska.

Everyday Encounters in Alaska

Denali (also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name) is the highest mountain in North America at 20,310ft. Located in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA. Image via Depositphotos.

For many residents of Alaska, encounters with wildlife are a part of daily life. The state’s vast wilderness areas are home to a diverse range of animals, including bears, moose, and wolves. Consequently, locals are well-versed in how to handle these encounters, which is evident from the composed reaction of the hikers in the video (I know I would’ve panicked if I were in their shoes!)

The U.S. State with the Highest Concentration of Bears

Alaska is the state with the highest number of bears in the US, with an estimated 100,000 black bears and roughly 30,000 brown bears living there. 

These bears have the perfect habitat in Alaska’s vast and remote wilderness, which enables this species to flourish here. There is even a small polar bear population in the state, which is concentrated around the coasts where the bears hunt seals through the ice.

The Video: Bear Runs Past Alaska Hikers

YouTube video
“Just a normal day for residents of the last frontier”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: BarstoolOutdoors

How To Stay Safe in a Bear Interaction

The clip acts as a gentle reminder of how crucial it is to respect wildlife and keep yourself safe by remaining composed and calm.

Experts advise not fleeing or making sudden movements that can cause a bear to pursue you. Although your reflexes will probably tell you run away, the best thing is actually just to stand motionless (and make yourself appear bigger if you can.)

Conclusion

andean bear
Andean bear. Anil Öztas, FALCC-BY-NC-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some states are wilder than others, and considering Alaska’s diverse and extensive wildlife, this state could definitely be counted as one of the wilder ones. Where are you from, and how would you react if ever saw a bear run past you like that?

Thank you for reading this article about the bear who runs past these hikers in Alaska! Should you care for more bear, take a look at these posts:

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