Grizzly Bear Charges Kayaker While Rafting Down A River

Bears are extraordinarily intelligent animals. They have far superior navigation skills to humans; excellent memories; large brain to body ratio; and use tools in various contexts from play to hunting. Bears were often honored in the cultures of many early civilizations. They were seen as a symbol of power, strength, and love.Show more

A rafting tour on the Elaho River near Squamish, B.C. was surprised by a close encounter with a grizzly bear. The video of the wild encounter shows the rafters heading down the river when the bear, which appears to be a juvenile, dashes into the water. The young bear charged at one of the kayakers at top speed in the water. "Rafting trip. A dead elk had been on an island between channels. Mostly ravens and turkey vultures until that day. The Grizzly sized up both rafts and decided to bluff charge the safety kayaker until it got too deep." - says the video maker. This adventurous tour guide filmed the encounter on his GoPro camera.

While grizzly bears are good swimmers, the kayaker managed to get away downstream. It looks like the rest of the rafting group made their way past the bear and was safe in the rough waters. Bears are not an unusual sight at this place but a grizzly bear charging at a kayaker is. Most grizzly bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming, but their behaviour can be unpredictable. Sometimes when bears bluff charges it is because they display defensive behavior trying to tell the unwanted guests that they are not welcome in the area .Fortunately for the kayaker, he noticed what was happening and managed to paddle away before the bear got too close.

At first, everyone seemed amazed by the unexpected grizzly sighting. Shouts and laughter can be heard in the background, as the threat to the kayaker's safety wasn't entirely apparent. Grizzly bears are good swimmers and fast runners, and gain speeds of up to 65 kilometers an hour. When it became clear that the grizzly was heading straight for the kayaker, everyone fell silent. "Oh my god," one woman shouted. A loud, high-pitched whistle starts blowing. The kayakers are ordered to start back-paddling away from the bear. The bear eventually swam away, and it was confirmed that "everyone passed through safely."

Two most important survival techniques that are useful to have in mind when you see a grizzly bear running towards you is don’t run and play dead. Though your instinct tells you differently, don’t listen to it this time because sooner or later the bear will catch you, you can’t outrun it unless you are an Olympic sprinter, so don’t bother running. When you run, the bear thinks you are a prey and will continue chasing you, so stand your ground. Grizzlies will stop attacking when they feel there’s no longer a threat. If they think you’re dead, they won’t think you’re threatening. Once the bear is done tossing you around and leaves, continue to play dead. Grizzlies are known for waiting around to see if their victim will get back up.