TV reporters provide valuable information on a daily basis in an effort to help viewers navigate through a world of local news, weather, sports ... and bears.
After a rash of bear sightings in the Providence, R.I., area, NBC 10 reporter Julie Tremmel "put together a few tips from the experts to help protect yourself should you come across a curious bear." She then offers a fantastic re-enactment-style report featuring herself acting as someone trying to ward off an approaching animal.
- "Avoid direct eye contact with the bear," Tremmel says, via voiceover, as video shows her in a grassy area at night, her eyes moving wildly from side to side.
- "Don't run away. Instead, back off slowly," she reports, backing into the brush, lit by what feels like car headlights.
- "Wave your arms to let the animal know you're human." This instruction comes with Tremmel flailing her arms, like she would do if she'd just tipped over the bear's honey pot and attracted thousands of bees.
- "Don't yell, stay quiet" is coupled with an index-finger-to-the-mouth shhhhhh gesture. "Unless the bear attacks, then scream and throw things at the bear." Tremmel whips off a flip-flop and tosses it at her camera operator.
- And finally, "If the bear attacks, curl up in a ball on your side or lay flat on your stomach," Tremmel advises as she gets down in the tall grass and no doubt gets eaten alive by mosquitoes. "Above all, stay calm."
The viral video sensation left TODAY anchors Willie Geist and Natalie Morales in stitches Friday morning. "How great was that?" Geist asked Morales, whose eyes were filled with tears of laughter.
But the pair admitted that Tremmel's report was valuable information for viewers concerned with possible bear attacks.
"Curl up in a ball and wait for death, I think, was the final piece of advice," Geist concluded.