Watch a Menacing Grizzly Charge Down a Mountain and Harass 50+ Elk

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As terrifying as grizzly bears can be, their sheer strength and power are awe-inspiring. For being such large animals, they move incredibly fast. In this video, you get a clear view of the distance a grizzly can travel while hunting. These are opportunistic creatures, and during seasons when elk are born, bears lurk in their hiding spots, usually in the sagebrush, to hunt them.

The person who managed to capture this video kept the camera steady on the grizzly, allowing you to see even better than the people who were present that day in Yellowstone National Park. When the video starts, a grizzly is front and center, already running.

It barrels down the hill because it’s spotted a herd of elk. It’s a bit of an optical illusion at this point because the bear appears to be a lot closer to the elk than it is. Between where the bear pauses and where the elk look over, there is a small valley. The bear still has to get down the hill and climb up the next hill to reach the elk.

The bear keeps still for a few more moments, assessing its distance from the elk. The elk are also assessing the distance — they are being intentional and not panicking. After all, there are several elk calves in the herd that need protection.

The grizzly takes a few steps forward and continues its run. The elk are moving strategically, keeping their eyes on the grizzly’s moves. The grizzly disappears for a bit as it makes it down the hill. The elk remain alert, and when they spot the grizzly a lot closer, they start to run in a group.

The grizzly keeps chasing them, making its way through the high brush. For a moment, the spectators lose him but quickly spot it again. It uses the brush to hide for a few seconds before it starts running again. It manages to travel incredibly long distances and scales steep mountainsides.

Luckily for the elk, they managed to get away this time. Toward the end of the video, you watch as the grizzly makes it to the top of a mountain alone. A few elks can be seen walking away together, having survived another day in the wild.

Do Grizzly Bears Normally Eat Elk?

Grizzly bears are large, powerful predators that live throughout much of North America. Generally, they are solitary creatures who can be both aggressive and shy, depending on the situation.

In terms of behavior, a normal grizzly bear will spend its days foraging for food, mostly consisting of plants and nuts. They may also hunt small animals such as rabbits and fish.

Grizzlies will usually avoid contact with humans, but if they feel threatened, they can become aggressive and dangerous. If they are startled, they may also roar or growl and swat at anything that may be a threat.

In terms of diet, grizzlies typically eat a variety of plants, nuts, fruits, insects, and other small animals. It is not normal for grizzlies to hunt and eat large animals such as elk, although it has been known to happen. Such cases are usually due to an abundance of food or a lack of other options.