Brings a whole different meaning to “be there with bells on.”
Hiking is a great form of exercise, but this video will make you ask, “Is it worth it?” I’ve been on my fair share of hikes, and I’m starting to question it. Don’t get me wrong, I love being in the great outdoors, getting exercise and taking in the grand views. However, I’ve never found myself in the middle of a classic Animal Kingdom high-speed chase while I’m on the treadmill… just saying.
Hiking trails and roads are commonly used by animals as well as people for no other reason than… it’s easy to move. Would a bear rather weave its way through the thick forest, or just mosey on down the road? Animals often times opt to take the road/path, which means run-ins with people are inevitably – and dangerously – going to happen. Those hiking in bear country should always be prepared for a potential run in.
This person in the Los Angeles, California area wearing bells as they walked the Mt. Wilson Trail thought they were being proactive with bear deterrent. Though the idea makes sense – constant noise should keep wild animals from approaching – but it’s not fool proof, especially in higher traffic areas around Los Angeles. When you watch this video, having bells on clearly didn’t help avoid a confrontation.
And the impromptu, bell-shaking dance definitely didn’t help scare the black bear away. In fact, it looks like it agitated the wild animal more than anything, and prompted it to charge:
“Black bear charges hiker jingling bells on the popular Mt. Wilson Trail in Los Angeles. Remember, bear bells are to alert wildlife of our presence, they do not work as a deterrent.”
Dancing like his life depended on it.
Obviously, the National Park Service advises tourists to keep their distance from animals – especially those that are considered to be more dangerous. The NPS advises tourists to stay 25 yards away from animals that are deemed “non-violent.” That list includes bison, elk, and other creatures that tend to be docile – though docile is a relative term. When it comes to bears, wolves, and other apex predators, the NPS warns park goers to keep 100-yards between them and the animals.
Granted, this hiker may not have had much of a choice. It’s very possible that the bear just kind of popped up on him, despite the bells that the hiker was wearing to try and push away any potential wild animal wandering around nearby. He could have used some bear spray in a big way once the black bear got close and the… bell-shaking wasn’t working. You also don’t want to run away, and trigger a chase from the bear, but it’s hard to not chuckle at the idea this hiker ringing the metaphorical dinner bell for the bear.
Social media users had this to say about the hiker basically dancing for his life:
“The bear was thinking that was the dinner bell.”
“Proof that you aren’t going to intimidate a bear with a bell.”
“Next time the hiker should get out of the bear’s way and don’t do a rain dance.”
“Probably just wanted the dude to get out of the way.”
“The bear clearly didn’t like his bell dance.”
Fortunately, everyone involved made it out okay… and I’m sure the hiker in the video will switch out their bells with some bear spray for the next hike.
