Hikers Face Grizzly Bear in Alaska
A hike in Alaska turned into a nerve-wracking moment for three hikers when they encountered a grizzly bear. Known as “Scuba Sue,” the bear was fishing for salmon on a narrow trail at Annan Creek Wildlife Observatory in southeastern Alaska.
On a recent episode of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” the hikers recounted how they managed to stay calm by following safety advice from park rangers after they found themselves in a tense situation on the path.
“We were observing bears and hoping to see salmon in the river. Earlier, we spotted several black bears, then returned to the trail only to be surprised by a grizzly bear,” said Dr. Michelle Lynn Thaler. “Out of nowhere, it just appeared around the bend.”
Footage from the scene captures the bear getting quite close to the hikers.
They had to communicate with the bear while gradually backing away to create space for it to pass.
“Oh, it was definitely frightening. We remembered the ranger’s advice: talk to the bear calmly, give it space,” said hiker Tanya Thompson. “There was no way to step off the trail, so we had to retreat a bit to let it through.”
Hiker Tony Cutralo mentioned that they were aware of the bear-dense region from pre-hike briefings by park rangers, having already seen bear tracks on the trail.
After a few tense moments, the bear walked past them and continued on its way.
Thaler noted that this year’s salmon runs have been delayed, which is leaving local wildlife undernourished and possibly increasing bear-human interactions.
“Honestly, I felt a bit uneasy knowing that these bears are waiting for the salmon that haven’t shown up yet. Years past, we’ve seen plenty of salmon. This year? They’re late. These bears are hungry,” she reflected.
The National Park Service shares guidance for hikers undergoing similar experiences. They recommend speaking calmly to the bears to clearly identify themselves as humans rather than potential prey.
Another piece of advice is to remain still, as running can provoke the bear further.
