Wildlife photographer Matt Addington described a close encounter with a massive brown bear sow in Alaska's Katmai National Park as "surreal and peaceful," despite the animal approaching within inches of his camera equipment. The incident, captured on video, has garnered millions of views online.
Addington, an experienced outdoorsman, was in Katmai when the bear sow approached him while he was photographing. The video shows the bear sniffing around his camera lens before continuing to graze on sedge grass, seemingly unfazed by his presence. Addington stated that he never felt fear or anxiety during the encounter, calling it one of the most serene moments he has experienced.
He emphasized that this encounter occurred under specific conditions: the bears had abundant food, and the sow was calmly grazing. Addington was also accompanied by experienced bear-viewing guides Scott and Jackie Stone, and the group followed established protocols. They positioned themselves upwind to allow the bears to smell them, spoke normally to announce their presence, and ensured the animals had freedom to move without feeling threatened. Addington stressed that their approach was not to "march or barge in" but to "stay back enough that you let bears be bears."
The video's viral spread led to widespread online speculation, with many accusing Addington of fabricating the footage using AI. Addington refuted these claims, stating he has extensive 6K footage from multiple cameras that proves the authenticity of the encounter. He expressed a preference for real-world experiences over digital creations.
Addington, based in Minnesota, has a career photographing wildlife globally, including bears, lions, and elephants, as well as covering hunting, fishing, and agriculture. While he has had numerous close calls with large animals, including being charged by rhinos, he noted that the brown bear encounter in Alaska stands out as a particularly unique experience.