Man In Bear Costume Harasses Bears In Anchorage, Alaska
A man wearing a fairly realistic bear costume was caught harassing a mother bear and her two cubs as they were trying to feed on pink salmon in the Chilkoot River in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday. He jumped up and down before getting within 5 – 10 feet of the bears.
There was a crowd gathered to watch the mother bear feeding her cubs, but they were at a safe distance. However, since the man donning the bear costume didn’t keep his distance, they became startled.
Alaska Fish and Game Assistant Area Management Biologist Mark Sogge was there counting fish. He moved the sow out the way and attempted to talk to the man, even though this is outside his normal duties. Unfortunately, the man refused to identify himself, saying, “You have the license plate number. You figure it out.” He then drove off without taking off the costume.
Wildlife officials reported the incident to the police who are now conducting an investigation. According to their spokeswoman, Megan Peters, the man may face wildlife harassment charges.
While this sounds really bizarre, this isn’t the first time that someone has done this. The other incident was caught on video a few years ago and is now part of the “Alaska State Troopers” reality TV show.
