When you’re driving in a rural, woodsy area, you’ll probably see some common animals.
This could include everything from big animals like deer to little ones like squirrels and birds. While seeing these types of animals generally isn’t too exciting, once in a while, you may come across something unusual. Something very big.
That’s exactly what happened in Wyoming when tourists witnessed a mama bear and her four cubs crossing a road. Luckily, the whole thing was caught on camera.
It was quite a standard day for tourists in Grand Teton National Park as they enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the wildlife that the park has to offer.
As it turns out, bears are actually a pretty common resident of the Grand Teton National Park – so much so that the park’s website tells us that:
‘Black bears and grizzly bears thrive in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. You may encounter a bear anywhere at anytime. Some of the most popular trails pass through excellent bear habitat. Bears will usually move out of the way if they hear you approaching.’
But even so, when tourists witnessed a mama bear and her cubs crossing a road right in front of their very eyes, they knew that they were experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime event.
In a video shared by one of the spectators, the mama bear can be seen walking with her cubs down a grassy hill toward the road.
Realizing that the mama is intending to cross over, everybody stops their cars and stands outside, cameras at the ready.
The mama bear walks calmly into the road with her cubs, acting as if she’s totally unaware of all the people who are watching them.
She doesn’t go off track and seems to be on a mission to get her cub to safety. In fact, she doesn’t even glance over at her audience!
The bears make it over to the other side and the protective mama guides her cubs back toward the safety of the forest.
It’s amazing that she doesn’t try to attack the onlookers, but everyone is very respectful and gives the passing bears some space.
The four little cubs stick close and you can tell that they’re feeling nervous about crossing the road, but they know that their mama will keep them safe!
If you are lucky enough to encounter the amazing sight of some bears crossing the road, Teton National Park has some advice for how to stay safe.
They recommend that you:
- Stay 100 yards from bears even if you are in your vehicle.
- Use designated pullouts when viewing bears and stay with your vehicle.
- Follow directions from National Park Service Staff.
- Use binoculars or spotting scopes for safe viewing.
- Approaching wildlife is prohibited by law.
- Do not leave food, garbage, or coolers in the open bed of a truck or the exterior of any vehicle.
We’re so glad visitors were able to capture this moment and share it with us. Nature is truly incredible.
Check out the video of the mama bear and her cubs crossing the road below!
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