Toddler Chasing Black Bear In WA Backyard Stopped By Mom: Report

REDMOND, WA — A Washington mother sprang into action recently when her toddler snuck outside and tried to give a black bear cub a hug, according to a report.

Samantha Martin of Redmond told FOX 13 Seattle this week that her 2-year-old daughter, Juniper, managed to sneak out the patio door just seconds before spotting a small black bear on a cement wall in the family's backyard.

A security camera captured the rest: Juniper's excitement as her little legs carried her toward the bear, and the moment Martin chased after her daughter. In a handful of seconds, Martin put herself between the girl and the cub before scooping her up and running back inside.

Martin told FOX 13 she was less concerned about the cub and more worried about the possibility of its mother being nearby.

"I didn’t know where the mom was and didn’t know how she’d feel about two humans running towards her baby," Martin told the station.

Read more and watch the video via FOX 13 Seattle

While bears tend to avoid humans, some have lost their natural fear or wariness around people due to prolonged exposure, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Still, most confrontations with bears are the result of attractants like garbage and bird feeders.

According to state wildlife officials, 95 percent of conflicts between bears and people are the result of human irresponsibility. Easy access to trash, pet food, bird feeders and improper storage of food while camping make up the majority of the calls.

To avoid unwanted bear confrontations, people should never purposely feed bears and should take steps to manage their garbage and other waste.

Learn more on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website.