Close encounter with black bear after it grabs woman's leg by Californian lake

This is the scary moment a terrified walker was pawed by a young black bear.

Kimberly Mendoza, 17, was out walking in California, USA, with a friend when they saw the inquisitive bear approach from a distance.

She began filming the bear while Kimberly and her friend, who wishes to remain unnamed, slowly retreated.

But the pair's escape route became blocked by fallen branches near Lake George, in Mammoth, and they didn't want to turn their backs' on the bear.

Video shows the moment the black bear pawed at Kimberly's friend's leg - almost gripping it - as if to get hold of her.