Ursine threat

This was wild country being traversed by the riverboat passengers and their River Guide. Ferocious animals were likely to be encountered at any moment, and true to expectation one could count on a ravenous black bear to make his sudden appearance. Note the steel frame on which the bear rested. This was a motorized track, and at the appropriate time (triggered by the movement of the boat) the bear would roar forth. Note also the right front leg of the bear. The mannequin was again "broken" and the leg reattached with a motorized leg to give the realistic appearance of the bear charging through the thick underbrush to snatch his next meal from amongst the terrified passengers. Every stick, twig, tree, bush and bit of foliage in these scenes had to be planted or placed along the banks of the river. The various animals made for the river ride were constructed from fiberglass and manufactured in Alpine, CA by a fellow with a small shop there. Click on the bear's head for a closer look.