A travel writer visiting Spirit Bear Lodge in British Columbia experienced a close encounter with a grizzly bear she “still can’t believe” happened.
Sarah Sekula was on a six-day tour at the lodge located in the remote wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest, home to the Kitasoo Xai’xais people, one of 15 Tsimshian nations that call the rainforest home.
“The Kitasoo Xai’xais people believe that bears are like family members,” Sekula explained in her Instagram post.
And so, they talk to the bears as if they are family, as guide Heather Robinson did when a grizzly came rushing toward her group while chasing fish in a stream.
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The grizzly stopped and checked out the group. It was 5-feet away from Robinson, who calmly told the bear, “Oh no, you can’t come this way, OK?”
With no fear in her voice, the bear backed off and then started chasing fish, as seen in Sekula’s Instagram video.
“Guides are so good at what they do,” Sekula wrote on Instagram. “We learned so much about bear behavior. Fascinating and surprisingly not scary!
“You know, you would think it would be nerve racking, but it wasn’t. The bear never showed signs of aggression. Both of our guides were extremely knowledgeable about bear behavior and have never even had to use bear spray.
“I think Heather Robinson could double as a yoga teacher with that sweet and calm voice.”
Photo courtesy of Sarah Sekula.