An experienced hiker in Utah escaped a scary encounter with a black bear and her cub on a trail only to run straight into a moose instead.<\/p>\n
But Greg Rothman, who was running on the Desolation Trail in Cotton Canyon at the time of the double whammy of wildlife encounters, believes the moose may even have played a part in helping to stop the bear from chasing him.<\/p>\n
Rothman shared his experience with a local TV outlet after reports of another hiker being attacked by a bear in the nearby Mill D North Fork Trail on Monday. That hiker was left with puncture wounds in his arms and had to drive himself to hospital. The bear in that incident was euthanized.<\/p>\n
Rothman\u2019s encounter happened a few days earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cI basically ran smack dab into a mother bear on the trail,\u201d says Rothman.<\/p>\n
He started to act big and slowly back away \u2013 as you\u2019re advised to do in bear encounters if it looks like the bear might approach \u2013 but then he discovered a complication that added to the potential danger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI turned around and saw a baby cub 15 to 20 yards behind me \u2013 at that point my stomach just dropped,\u201d says Rothman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mother bear gave me multiple warning signs. Grunting, jaw clacking. I didn\u2019t get any false charges \u2013 a lot of dirt throwing, standing on hind legs \u2013 but she was blocking my path so she didn\u2019t have any where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
So he decided that making a run for it was the only choice. He says he, \u201cran for 30 seconds down the trail to try to create more space. I was still being followed by the mother bear.\u201d<\/p>\n
And then the plot twist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI came around the corner and ran into a moose,\u201d says Rothman. \u201cFull rack. Startled the moose, which is also just horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the local news channel, Rothman told their reporter that he thinks the moose, \u201cmay have played a role in keeping him safe from the bear\u201d, but the details become a little vague. He does mention that he\u2019ll be carrying bear spray with him in future, though.<\/p>\n
And here\u2019s a new video report about that other attack we mentioned:<\/p>\n