Black bear seen attacking hiker —and later tests positive for rabies

Wild video shows a black bear chasing and then attacking a hiker in the Poconos — with it later testing positive for rabies, according to officials.

Victim Andrew Nierer told NBC 10 that he was walking on a trail near his home in Jim Thorpe, Pa. on Sunday when he spotted the 200-pound bear.

Video obtained by the outlet shows Nierer trying to walk away — just for the animal to give chase and jump up to attack him.

A neighbor rushed out to help, grabbing a gun and shooting dead the bear to stop the attack, NBC 10 said.

The bear later tested positive for rabies, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said, noting that bears are typically not aggressive toward people.

Nierer also expressed sympathy for his attacker, noting that it had been spotted earlier in a market and should have been in hibernation.

“I think number one she was just scared,” he said — while also thinking the bear was likely “starving.”

While rabies in bears is rare, and a case emerging in a given area is usually isolated, rabies poses a risk to all mammals the Game Commission said.