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Interesting chart, RIPP. Black bears and grizzlies have top speeds of about 35 MPH - & they get to that speed VERY quickly from a standing start ie: 56 kph.
When I was in the Jr. Forest Ranges in Northern Ontario, we were headed to town on the school bus and drove behind a black bear on the road for about 2 miles. That bear was running an even 35mph, never slowing down, and constantly swinging it's head side to side to see us. It looked like it was loping along. Finally it turned off the road and ran through a sea of young aspen trees, never slowing down. We could follow it's progress through the trees by the sounds of breaking off trees (windows all down) and the visual of the falling saplings. These trees looked to be about 1" to 1 1/2" in diameter. So - yeah - you won't outrun a bear, no more than you could outrun a dog.
This fall I was coming back to town from the ranch. I left about an hour before sunrise.. Driving down the highway suddenly I saw something running ahead of me.. Black bear.. and yes,he was hauling ass .. cruising at around 30MPH.. so, NO, you will NOT outrun them..
I was told the same about elephants. Based on how many people get killed by them each year, reasonably certain that is also true. Was told once elephants can not run as fast downhill..have no idea if that is true or not..??
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