Mother Bear Sends Cubs Up Tree

A female bear sends her 5 spring cubs up a tree to escape from a young male bear. These are 100% wild black bears.

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[VoidDeluxe]

@BearsForever, could you tell us how you filmed this without having to worry about the bears attacking you? Were you in some kind of hide?

[BearsForever]

I was not in a hide. I was standing on the ground probably within 50 feet with nothing between me and that mother with cubs. A very common misconception is that mother bears with cubs will attack a person in defense of the cubs, this is in fact a brown bear trait and not applicable to black bears. In the 4 years I've worked with wild bears and even walked with them, I've never been "attacked" and never once was in fear I would be..

[315Rosi]

Is that a learned behavior or habituation to people who feed them? Even really small or timid species get pariniod when humans are near their young. The sow didnt attempt to menace the male either; perhaps because there WAS a tree handy to send the cubs up; what if they were not close to a tree or some other refuge; would the sow menace a person or a boar?

[BearsForever]

Climbing trees to escape danger is a learned behavior, it is the first thing a mother will teach her cubs after emerging from the den. Habituation has nothing to do with it. It would be odd for a black bear to lead her cubs into an area without refuge for her them. Females typically chase off males which did happen here, I just cut the video early as it didn't happen for another few minutes. I've never had a mother with cubs act "aggressive" towards me, even while walking with them.

[busafwine]

aww they are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nicholasbhicks]

isnt that alot of cubs?

[swizzbeats1212]

cute :3

[Terria111]

Many people are afraid when they see bears, yet attacks are extremely rare. Read the truth about this and other myths at bear.org

[Dana Seilhan]

There have been studies done that show that humans put off different chemicals when we're afraid; even other humans can sense them, though not consciously. So it's reasonable that if you approach a black bear fearfully, they'll react differently to you than if you walk up assuming everything will go well.

[lazyartist moreno]

spider bear. spider bear. does whatever a spiderbear does

[Vanisia Covington]

that is soooo cool

[ellajobethlynn]

Is it unusual for a mother to have 5 cubs? I thought they generally had 1-3 cubs?

love how she gives one a nudge up the tree.

[Terria111]

Go to bear.org There is tons of great information, 24/hr bear cam/den cams during hibernation, and a friendly chat.

[Terria111]

Black bear cubs are curious. Bears can learn to not fear humans, but they will always recognize aggressive behavior. Potential danger exists mainly if one attempts close contact with black bears. Observing them is a joy. bear.org

[315Rosi]

Then would you say; that if it not habituation; that black bears; including sows with cubs; do not inately fear humans? I find that hard to believe. Perhaps bears can "read" people like domestic dogs can. Bears often do not appear to be nervous animals. Those traits existing together might explain it; but combined with habituation it is even more plausible. IMO; the potential for danger exists when encountering wildlife with young of ANY size or species.