Both just walking around the corner of a house, a bear and a man scared the daylights out of each other.
The man was taking a drink when he and the bear, which fits the description of a black bear, saw each other. Both took off back in the direction they came from.
ABC News reported that if you should come into contact with a bear, it’s important to know which bear you’re dealing with. The differences can be spotted in their profile as well as their claws, ears and shoulder shapes. Each type of bear, despite their names, can vary in color.
“What can be confusing is if you go out west, black bears can be brown or cinnamon in color,” Bill Stiver, a wildlife biologist at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park told ABCNews.com.
Stiver said if a bear approaches to make some noise.
“Clapping your hands, yelling -– even throwing things is appropriate,” Stiver said. “You’re trying to scare it away before it gets too close. Get a big stick, some rocks. Bang pots and pans.”
Linda Friar of the National Park Service said most bear encounters happen when people have food around.
“If you’re camping, make sure you move the food away from where you’re sleeping,” Friar said according to ABC News. “And make sure you’re using bear-proof containers that restrict odors.”
