A man has shared his terrifyingly close encounter with a polar bear that came right up to his fence.
David Chikousky regularly travels to Churchill, Canada – a town nicknamed the “polar bear capital of the world” – for work.
In his viral video, the 37-year-old shows a sign warning: “Beware of Polar Bears – check your surroundings before leaving the compound.”
READ MORE: Haggis, the pygmy hippo, moves house to help save her species
- Advertisement -
Moments later, a huge bear can be seen prowling around his fence, before wandering off toward another building.
“The bear in this video circled the perimeter fence a couple of times before wandering over to examine the building in the distance,” David told What’s The Jam.
“The bears are always a concern, but are most active in populated areas from late September into early December.”
Churchill’s human population is around 870, but its polar bear numbers can soar past 1,000 in peak season.
Locals even have a “bear jail” – a secure facility where captured bears are detained and relocated safely instead of being shot.
- Advertisement -
David’s clip has now gone viral, racking up 962,000 views, 57,000 likes, and 1,356 comments.
Viewers were both horrified and amused by his frosty visitor.
One person joked: “That one looks friendly though. I’m sure it’s fine.”
- Advertisement -
Another added: “If not friend, why friend shape?”
A third wrote: “Uhm… can we get that fence upgraded?”
Someone else shared: “When I worked up north we kept an airhorn by the door – taking out the garbage was a two-person job.
“One to dump, one to hold the door and airhorn!”
And one viewer summed it up perfectly: “You’re placing a lot of trust in that fence.”
READ MORE: Dogs go mutts in paddle paradise after being given run of public pool
