Mexican mother shields her son as black bear climbs on picnic table VIDEO

A Mexican mother displayed incredible bravery when she shielded her son from a bear that had leaped onto their picnic table and devoured the food meant for the boy's birthday dinner.

As reported by the Telegraph, Silvia Macías and her son Santiago, who has Down syndrome, were celebrating his 15th birthday at Chipinque Park on the outskirts of Monterrey in Northern Mexico.

As they sat down to eat, a bear approached and consumed their picnic food, including french fries, enchiladas, tacos, and salsa. In a video captured by her friend, Angela Chapa, Macías can be seen sitting calmly just inches from the bear's mouth, holding Santiago and protecting his eyes with her hand. She kept her gaze lowered to avoid making any movements that might provoke the bear.

Macías explained that she covered her son's eyes to prevent him from getting scared and potentially provoking the bear by running away, which is widely advised not to do in case a bear appears. 

The black bear eventually left the area peacefully.