Man in Tree Films as Bears Climb up to Him (Viral Video)

Stock image by Marcia Straub/Getty Images A man in a tree films black bears as they climb up the same tree below him. Are the bears trying to get to him? What's happening here? The post Man in Tree Films as Bears Climb up to Him (Viral Video) appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

May 14, 2026 - 17:00
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Man in Tree Films as Bears Climb up to Him (Viral Video)
Stock image by Marcia Straub/Getty Images
bears man tree

The first time you watch a recent viral video from Kirill Potapov, you’ll feel concern . . . and possibly some confusion as well. Potapov is up in a tree, filming multiple black bears as they climb up the same tree below him. Are the bears trying to get to him? Does he know that black bears can climb? Did a bear just lick his ankle?!

The video has over 33.5 million times, and the comments section reflects the online community’s confusion.

[RELATED: ‘They Didn’t Even RSVP!’: Black Bears Crash a Wedding Ceremony]

“Did a bear upload this video?” joked one person.

“Why are you calm,” wonders another.

A click onto to Potapov’s profile provides a little bit of context into the situation. He appears to care for “tame” bears, although it’s not clear how or why. Clearly, the bears in this latest viral video did not chase him up a tree, but that is perhaps the only thing that is clear.

Watch the viral video showing a man in a tree as bears climb to him below (or see it here).

Header stock image by Marcia Straub/Getty Images

The post Man in Tree Films as Bears Climb up to Him (Viral Video) appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.

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