A mother-daughter duo hiking the Appalachian Trail experienced a brief moment of panic after running into a bear cub in the middle of the path and wondering where its mother might be hiding.
In a TikTok video posted on March 5 by user @faith_fudge, which has since reached over 2.1 million views, Faith and her mother stopped in their tracks when they noticed a dark shape against the fallen brown leaves on the trail. Upon closer inspection, the two realized it was a bear cub, and the search for the mother immediately began.
While wildlife agencies always advise hikers to give bears space, the warning becomes even more critical when cubs are involved. An article from the National Park Service says that you should never place yourself between a mother and her cub or approach them. If a mama bear perceives a human as a threat to her young, the risk of an attack increases.
Faith told Newsweek via TikTok that she did not realize it was a bear until she saw the black figure slightly move and make noises. At first, she thought it might have been a rabid skunk, which still prompted the two to stay back. Faith began filming to send to her sisters, but in the video, viewers can hear the exact moment realization set in: It was a baby bear.
“Right afterwards, the phone went away, and I carefully made my way around it, no sign of mama,” she said. “We got off the mountain as quickly and safely as we could.”
The pair never saw the mother bear, but they notified the local rangers, who issued a notice to other hikers, as the area is a highly frequented part of the Appalachian Trail. Faith also hoped they would check on the cub. She said many hikers passed through the area, reporting no signs of the mother hours later.
Despite the scare, moments like this haven’t deterred them from continuing the hike or their mission to raise money for Sammy’s Backpacks, a nonprofit effort led by Faith’s aunt and uncle in memory of her cousin Sammy, who was murdered in 2020. The fundraiser provides backpacks and school supplies to children in need, and the family has been documenting the experience on social media through the account @Fudgeitstylehiking, where supporters can follow along with their progress.
Bear Safety
The National Park Service advises hikers to stay calm and never approach bears or their cubs, as a protective mother is often nearby. If a bear notices you, officials recommend speaking calmly, avoiding sudden movements and slowly backing away to give the animal space. Hiking in groups can intimidate bears, and do not allow them access to food.
Making your presence known while hiking will also help avoid surprising wildlife. Some hikers carry simple noise‑making items, such as bear bells or trail whistles, to alert animals from a distance, while others rely on hands‑free headlamps or visibility gear when hiking early in the morning or near dusk. And as a last-resort deterrent in a close encounter, people may use bear spray. Being prepared, experts say, can help reduce the risk of close encounters and keep both people and wildlife safe.
Viewer Reactions
The encounter quickly struck a chord with TikTok viewers, many of whom echoed the wildlife officials’ warnings about spotting bear cubs on the trail.
“Omg RUN, don’t walk RUN. You’re in serious danger!” warned a viewer, while a second person wrote: “As a hunter…you stood there WAYYYYY TOOO LONG ASKING QUESTIONS.”
Another said: You can’t see mommy, but mommy sees you.”
But some couldn’t get past the cuteness of the baby animal: “I could never survive in the wild cause I’d literally grab him and take it home with me.”
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