Mexican Mother Bravely Shields Her Son as Bear Leaps on Picnic Table to Devour Tacos and Enchiladas

A black bear scavenges for food beside tourists near the famous General Sherman tree at the Sequoia National Park in Central California on Oct. 10, 2009. Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

MEXICO CITY—A Mexican mother bravely shielded her son after a bear leapt on a picnic table and devoured the tacos and enchiladas meant for the boy’s birthday dinner, inches from his face.

Silvia Macías of Mexico City had traveled to the Chipinque Park on the outskirts of the northern city of Monterrey to celebrate the 15th birthday of her son, Santiago, who has Down syndrome.