Photographer in Alaska challenges a charging bear … and wins confrontation (video)

HOMER, Alaska — Surely the “fight or flight” instinct kicks in when a bear begins charging and it’s safe to say most people choose the latter option.

Apparently that’s a mistake, and a photographer with Scenic Bear Viewing in Alaska showed why during a recent outing with tourists.

In a video posted on the company’s Instagram page, the photographers and some tourists are on a beach watching some bears from what appears to be a pretty good distance. The bears initially seem uninterested in the group.

But the situation changes when a bear suddenly charges at the group. A photographer motions for people to step back, but then turns toward the bear and begins yelling as it continues to charge. This works as the bear turns off to its right and instead runs into the water.

The photographer not only continues to yell but even runs toward the bear to make sure it doesn’t turn back. Afterward, he lets out a laugh as it’s clear the danger is over.

“Never run from a charging bear, even though your instinct is to run,” the company writes on the Instagram post. “This is a bluff charge. They are just trying to get you to run. They have a natural chase instinct.”

The post says this isn’t the first time a bear has charged at a group, but says there has never been an actual attack in the 30 years the company has operated.

“We are trained exactly for this situation,” the post says.