What the man was trying to achieve is now unknown, according to the Associated Press.
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The encounter unfolded at a weir, used by officials to count fish, where locals and tourists often gather because bears are known to feed there often during the salmon run.
They were at a safe distance from the weir and were startled when a man decked out in a bear outfit ran through the area Monday evening.
The man began to jump up and down, and then got close to the cubs, within five to 10 feet, Sogge said.
“Mark Sogge, a speaker regarding the department’s Haines business office, said Chilkoot Lake boom technologist Lou Cenicola saw a human in a realistic-looking bear fit look through others waiting on the edge of causing pavement streaming bears through Chilkoot River”.
Sogge said Cenicola was able to jot down the man’s license plate number his report was turned over to Alaska State Troopers.
“Our profession would be to calculate fish”, Sogge said.
The man refused to identify himself, Cenicola said. Sogge says Cenicola did get the man’s license plate number, and Fish & Game reported the incident to state troopers.
Unidentified, the man drove away without taking off his costume. If warranted, the man could face wildlife harassment charges.
Troopers Spokesperson Megan Peters says they know about the incident and are investigating.
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The man’s bear suit is described as “realistic”, probably more so than this one. “You figure it out”.
