![\"Bear](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/af8d1f252e33e232234fd148bd1fcf7a.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA terrifying video shows a large brown bear charging toward a Southern California hiker in Angeles National Forest, as the man makes the unusual decision to move toward the animal.<\/p>\n
In the video, a man dressed in hiking gear and wearing a hat is seen walking toward the bear\u2014not away\u2014and shaking bells in an apparent attempt to scare it off.<\/p>\n
Instead, the agitated animal appears to charge toward him before the video cuts off.<\/p>\n
The close, face-to-face encounter\u2014just feet apart\u2014was captured by another hiker nearby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking this guy is crazy, and I hope nothing happens to him,\u201d Erin Chiu, who recorded the video, told NBCLA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure what was going through his mind, to be honest, because the last thing you would expect is for someone to actually walk toward a bear. At that point, I was a little concerned for his safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chiu told the network he hikes the same trail at least three times a week for about 10 miles each time and had never seen a bear there until now.<\/p>\n
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He said he and his friends hiked up the trail and hid behind bushes to let the animal pass, avoiding any confrontation.<\/p>\n
The hiker was eventually able to slowly back away as the bear moved toward him. Experts say the most important thing to remember if you encounter a bear is simple: do not run.<\/p>\n
According to the National Park Service, running can trigger a chase response, as bears can easily outrun humans.<\/p>\n
![\"Fearless](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0c624841b20e373335275be779221cc7.jpeg\")
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Instead, people should remain calm, stand their ground, and speak in a low voice so the animal recognizes them as human, as most encounters end without injury when the bear does not feel threatened.<\/p>\n
Bear sightings have become increasingly common in Los Angeles County, particularly in foothill communities like Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Castaic, and Arcadia.<\/p>\n
This encounter occurred in Arcadia, in Los Angeles County.<\/p>\n