I was panicking in my head.
I didn't know what to think, I didn't know what to do.
[Reporter: Susana da Silva] What to do about a black bear creeping towards her
then reaching out.
I thought about running away but I thought would maybe chase me
so I just stopped.
I was like it is going to come at me even
more?
[Reporter] But it didn't.
And she ran away, only to watch the encounter online.
Filmed and posted by a passerby.
Some accused her of trying for a selfie.
I definitely wouldn't risk my life for a selfie
so that wasn't the motive there.
[Reporter] That section of the popular trail has been closed
and a trap set to catch the bear.
It's not normal behaviour for a bear to approach someone in that way.
It had me wondering what led up to that
situation
where the bear was approaching someone
and I had to wonder had the bear been fed before by someone?
[Reporter] Conservation officers say it could be euthanized
if they believe it is too used to humans.
But over 16,000 people have signed a petition to save it.
With some saying they won't even report sightings, fearful bears will be killed.
I don't think that's a good decision.
But think they should be moved if anything but we are encroaching on their land.
So I feel like we have to do everything we can to not bother them
or get them acclimatized to us.
[Reporter] Earlier this week, a bear made a stop at a Revelstoke Liquor Store.
And in July, one checked out a Whistler Resort.
Some experts say bears are naturally curious
and need to learn to stay away from people.
And people need to learn how to deal with
them.
We're overreacting to what actually happened.
Recognize that you are going into a place
that bears live.
Bring your bear spray, use your voice.
The human voice means something to these animals
and they will listen to it.
[Reporter] Some saying people aren't getting that message fast enough.
Costing bears their lives.
Susana da Silva, CBC News Vancouver
