Video North Carolina Man’s Calm Encounter with a Bear Cub Goes Viral

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On Wednesday, a North Carolina man had a surprising encounter with a black bear cub while enjoying his morning coffee on his porch in Asheville.

David Oppenheimer was relaxing outside his home, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone, when the bear cub quietly approached him. Unbeknownst to Oppenheimer, his home security camera recorded the entire incident.

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The footage shows the cub creeping closer until its nose is inches from Oppenheimer’s foot. Startled, Oppenheimer gasped and jumped but quickly regained his composure and began speaking soothingly to the bear, who also seemed alarmed by the sudden interaction.

“Hi, bear,” Oppenheimer said as the bear took a few steps back. “We’re going to be famous,” he added, hinting at his intention to share the video online.

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He then took out his phone to film the bear, which was now figuring out its next move. “It’s okay; I didn’t mean to scare you,” Oppenheimer reassured the cub. “You shouldn’t come this way.”

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After a brief pause, Oppenheimer asked the bear, “Which way should I go?” as if seeking its guidance. “It’s okay; you can walk by,” he continued, encouraging the timid animal.

The bear cautiously walked past Oppenheimer’s chair and onto his deck, sniffing around and standing on its hind legs a few times before the video ended.

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Asheville residents often encounter black bears, especially during the spring post-hibernation period when bears become more active. Experts advise that bear sightings alone are not cause for alarm.

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“If you live in Asheville, you live in Bear Country, so there’s no reason to call just because you see a bear,” explained Ashley Hobbs, a special projects biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

However, Hobbs noted that if a bear approaches people or exhibits behavior indicating it has lost its fear of humans, such as trying to enter homes, it’s important to contact the Wildlife Commission for assistance.

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