Robert Biggs is a naturalist who often hikes in California’s Bean Soup Flat area. He was hiking recently there when he came across a mother bear, a yearling and a newborn. Biggs had seen the same bear and its older cub last spring and fall, and said that they developed something of a trusting relationship. “The cub stood up on its hind legs and put its paws up and I got to play patty-cake with it,” he said. He said the mother bear watched the two play and her only reaction was to call the cub back.
Yes, Biggs is apparently insane. But never mind.
After watching his patty-caking bear family, Biggs continued on his hike up the trail. As he turned to go, a mountain lion lept on his back, knocking him to the ground. “They usually grab hold of your head with all four paws, but my backpack was up above my head and the lion grabbed it instead,” Biggs said. “It must have been stalking the little bear, but it was on me in seconds.”
He tried to fight off the predator, but it didn’t let go. Suddenly, Biggs’ pal the mother bear came from behind and attacked the lion, tearing its grip from the backpack. They fought as Biggs sought safety; the big cat finally retreated. Biggs had bite marks, scratches and bruises to his arm, but was otherwise uninjured. Continue reading
