A group of bears has become regular visitors at a North Carolina home.
Patrick Conley of Asheville, North Carolina, is now used to some very large and furry visitors dropping in unannounced for a snack or to nibble his slippers.
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“I was curious myself to see how far it would go, and they didn't disappoint,” he said. “They're not gonna bite. They're not into attacking people.”
A HAPPY FAMILY DROPS IN FOR A LIGHT SNACK
The four bears, two of which are cubs, have made Conley's porch a regular stop on their daily search for food, and one of the cubs cleans out the bird feeder, eating every last seed.
With a bear's insatiable curiosity, the other cub seems intent on learning how to open Conley's front door.
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"THEY GIVE ME A BREAK, I GIVE THEM A BREAK."
Conley seems unperturbed by his huge and hairy visitors and is often sitting out on the porch when they arrive. He believes that the bears know that he doesn't pose a threat and will not attack him.
Source: YouTube/ InsideEdition
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GUIDELINES WARN OF DANGER
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NEVER FEED A BEAR
Bears are by nature omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, and once they start to think of humans as providers, a dangerous situation develops. Bears lose their natural fear of humans, and humans forget that bears are unpredictable predators - a perfect formula for disaster.
NEVER RUN FROM A BEAR
Though big and placid looking, bears are ferocious and voracious predators. Something that runs away - human or animal - becomes an irresistible prey and a bear will give chase. A human cannot outrun a bear who can match a racehorse's speed running downhill or uphill. If confronted by a bear, people are advised to step away sideways.
While getting away from a bear, people should remember that climbing a tree is not a good idea. Bears are excellent climbers.
Most bear/human interactions end amicably, as long as people follow the guidelines and treat the animals with respect and avoid confrontations with adults accompanied by cubs.
In a related story, a mother bear and her cubs turn a pool in a Rockaway Township, New Jersey backyard into their own private playground.
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