Understanding Bear Behavior
Bears are rather complex animals, often misunderstood. They are large, powerful predators but are not generally aggressive towards humans unless provoked or threatened. Black bears, by far the most commonly found species in North America, are typically solitary and avoid human contact whenever possible. Now, as human populations grow into bear habitats, these animals are increasingly running into people. Understanding bear behavior is critical to controlling these encounters and preventing dangerous situations.
Bears are omnivores. They primarily feed on fruits, nuts, seeds, insects, and small mammals. Bears are opportunistic feeders; they take any food available, including human food. The focusing factor for bears during the fall season is to eat as much as possible so that they can gain significant fat reserves from which they will draw while in hibernation. This period of increased food-seeking behavior is often when bears are most likely to venture into human-populated areas. If the woman’s encounter occurred during this time, the bear may have been foraging for food, which could explain its curiosity and lack of aggression.
Despite their size and strength, bears are typically not interested in attacking humans. They prefer to avoid confrontation and will usually flee if given the chance. They, however, can become defensive if they feel threatened, especially when there are cubs around or when they are cornered. In the case of the woman who followed the bear, the lack of immediate aggression by the bear shows that she felt no immediate threat from the woman. People must identify signs of stress or aggression in bears to react if an encounter is getting dangerous.
