7-Year-Old Boy Comes Face-To-Face With A Bear, Rescued By Courageous Neighbor

Leona Martinez
Oct 27, 2023
Oct 27, 2023

In a peaceful part of Canada called British Columbia, there's a story that's both exciting and a little scary.

It’s about a seven-year-old boy named Huxley, who, in a heart-pounding moment, came face to face with a big, black bear that had ventured into his neighborhood in British Columbia, western Canada.

This article is all about Huxley's incredible courage and how he handled this wild encounter.

Seven-Year-Old Huxley Was Really Brave When He Met A Black Bear While Riding His Scooter

Source: Inside Edition

In broad daylight, young Huxley showed his super bravery when he found himself inches away from a massive black bear. Someone recorded the whole thing on video, and it was really heart-stopping! The wild bear approached the young boy.

Everyone felt scared for the little boy while watching the video. However, his unshaken composure surprised them. He looked straight at the bear and didn't get scared.

The Heroic Intervention Of A Brave Neighbor

Source: Inside Edition

Just when it seemed like Huxley was facing this wildlife giant all on his own, a neighbor noticed what was happening and rushed to help. He walked up to the bear with his arms raised high. This made the bear go away from Huxley and flee towards a nearby car.

The black bear then moved towards a vehicle

The neighbor didn't stop; he kept following the bear until it retreated, making sure Huxley was safe.

A Proud Mother's Perspective

Source: Inside Edition

In an interview with Inside Edition, Huxley's mother, Britney, said she was really proud of her son for being so brave when he was in danger. She shared, "I think most adults even in that moment would’ve perhaps panicked or run away. Not everybody knows what to do there, so I’m super proud of him."

Living in an area where bear sightings aren't uncommon, Britney had previously cautioned her son about potential encounters with these wild animals. Her advice to him was simple: "be aware of your surroundings, be calm if you ever encounter a bear without an adult."

Bear Encounters In Prince George

Source: Google Images

It's important to note that residents of Prince George, British Columbia, have recently been facing numerous black bear encounters.

Reports from CBC Canada suggest that these animals have been wandering into people's backyards and front porches, and even crossing busy highways during the day. What used to be a rare sighting has now become a "daily occurrence" for residents of the area.

Survival Tips In The Wild From Wildlife Experts

Source: Google Images

Encounters with wild animals can be extremely dangerous, but there are some recommended survival tips if you come across a bear.

According to wildlife experts, you should make yourself look big by waving your arms to seem more formidable and scare off the animal, just like the neighbor in the video did. It is also crucial to move slowly and sideways and, most importantly, avoid running because bears can run faster than people.

Reasons For Increased Bear Activity

Bowinn Ma, British Columbia's Minister of Emergency Management, explained why bears coming into the city have become a “daily occurrence.” It’s because the droughts are affecting various parts of the region, so the bears can't find enough food.

This makes them look for food in people's fruit trees. Additionally, the increasing development of green spaces in the city over the past few years has taken away the bears' natural habitat.