Man made friends with a bear family (8 photos)

One day in North Carolina, wild black bears appeared near the house of a man named Patrick Conley. These predators did not just accidentally enter his property, but began to behave rather strangely. It seemed that they were intentionally looking for something.





Adult black bears reach one meter at the shoulders, and up to 1.5-1.8 meters in length (rarely reach 2 meters)

The bears wandered aimlessly back and forth. It was clear that they were closely watching Patrick's house. The man was confused and seriously scared. Patrick looked closely at one of the large black bears and suddenly realized that they had come here for a reason. The animals had come for him.

The black bear (also known as the black bear) is the most common bear in all of North America. They are indeed most often black, but as it turns out, not always. Their coloring can also vary from blue-gray and blue-black to brown and even white. Usually this animal lives in forests, but sometimes it is seen in the mountains and swamps.

Bears are very smart. An excellent memory is a distinctive feature of the animal. "Remember everything" - this is the thought with which the bear wakes up after hibernation. Perhaps he will not remember the name of the local gamekeeper. But he remembers exactly where the raspberries he ate last year grew. As well as the places where people come to barbecue. And he certainly won't forget the river where he caught the most delicious fish.



The characteristic color of black bears is the light yellow end of the muzzle

This story began on a cold winter morning in 2017. Patrick Conley went for a walk in the forest with his dog. The man thought that this forest was safe, since he almost never met predators there. So he walked calmly, admiring the snowy beauty. But suddenly, twenty minutes away from home, he came across a bear. It was surprising, because bears should sleep in winter.

The predator looked very tired. Patrick thought that the young and inexperienced bear had simply chosen the wrong place to spend the winter.





Black bears weigh between 40 and 300 kilograms (an average of 135 kilograms)

One thing was clear: the animal would most likely not survive without human help. Patrick brought fish and fruit from home, which the bear ate right away. Then, he made a warm bed for the predator from several bundles of hay. And to protect the bear from the snow and icy wind, Patrick built a small canopy from branches. After that, the man left, hoping that his shelter would help the bear survive the cold winter.

Patrick was worried about the bear. A few days later, he finally decided to go check on the bear. When he approached the den, he saw that the bear had hibernated. Patrick went home with peace of mind. The man decided not to approach this unusual den anymore.



The maximum recorded weight of a black bear was 409 kilograms

Three years passed. Patrick was doing his usual chores. Hearing a loud noise, he looked out the window. There was a black bear standing on the porch of the house. Little cubs were running around with her.

Patrick was shocked and scared at the same time. The man looked at her without looking away. Suddenly it seemed to him that he had already seen her. It was her, the same bear he had helped three years ago. And she had not come alone, but had brought her cubs to Patrick. The predator wanted to express her gratitude.



A black bear will not hesitate to abandon a cub if she gives birth to one. She will only care for a litter of several cubs.

Patrick carefully walked out onto the threshold of the house. He tried not to make any sudden movements. The she-bear and her cubs slowly approached him. The animals let him know that his good deed had not been forgotten. He treated the forest guests to fruits and berries and even played with them a little. After that, the animals returned to the forest. But the story of man and bears had only just begun.

From that very day, Patrick's life changed forever. He named the she-bear Simone. She became a frequent guest at his house. Simone never came alone. And the little bears, like their mother, were not at all afraid of people. Each of their appearances turned into a real holiday. With each visit, the trust between Patrick and the bears grew.



In the wild, black bears live 20-25 years, although few of them live to be 10 years old

The man and the bears spent a lot of time together. They played in the yard and explored the territory. Patrick watched this miracle with joy. He left food and water for his friends near the house so that they always felt welcome. Patrick documented the most touching moments - he filmed the bears on camera.

The cubs grew by leaps and bounds. Their cheerful games became a part of Patrick's life. They ran around the garden, climbed trees and even fences.



Black bear - excellent tree climber, even in adulthood

Over the years, Simone and her cubs have become like old friends to Patrick. Simone was always there, calmly watching her cubs. She trusted Patrick completely. Simone felt at home.

The story of the mother bear with her cubs, who regularly come to visit a man, spread throughout the area. Patrick's friends often come to him to look at his bears. Many can't believe their eyes: Patrick and the cubs are playing, and their mother is calmly watching all this.



A black bear's sense of smell is 100 times better than a human's, and its vision is color

The cubs have grown up, now they are completely independent. But this does not stop them from continuing to visit Patrick. Simone often leaves her grown-up cubs to play in the yard, and she goes into the forest to get food.

The grown-up cubs continue to perceive Patrick as their friend. They still invite him to play. Patrick hopes that Simone and her cubs will continue to visit him. He continues to watch over the bear family.