A mother’s courage knows no limit. Even, apparently, when a dangerous animal shows up for dinner uninvited. When a black bear crashed a birthday party, everyone was a bit shocked at their furry guest. Especially when he jumped up on a table to help himself to food.

Silvia Macías was there for her son’s 15th birthday, when they got a visit from the party crasher. Her son, Santiago, has down syndrome and struggles around animals. “Santiago is very afraid of animals,” Silvia said.

Any animal scares him a lot.”

So when the family planned his party at Chipinque Park in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico, they knew there was always a chance a bear might be spotted. Sylvia and her friend, Angela Chapa, devised a game with Santiago, where Silvia would cover his eyes and they would “act like statues.” They knew that if they moved, or Santiago panicked, that would only draw the attention of any wild animal.

Silvia Macías shields her son, Santiago, from a black bear that showed up at the boy’s birthday party. Photo from TikTok

Neither believed they would come up close and personal with a bear, though. So when they were sitting at a picnic table in the park, eating french fries, tacos and enchiladas, it was a shock when the black bear sauntered up to the table. And even more terrifying when the wild animal hopped up onto the table and began eating. As soon as the bear approached, the quick-thinking mom covered Santiago’s face, and the pair froze, while the bear continued to munch on his newfound treats.

Silvia said the bear was “very close to us, we heard him as he growled, as he ate, you could smell the bear. It was really very very close.” Angela filmed the entire encounter, which has gone viral on TikTok with more than 15 million views. “That’s why I covered his eyes, because I didn’t want him to see it and scream or run,” Silvia said.

@cbsmorningsA black bear in Mexico interrupted a birthday picnic and ate up the food on the table as a mother shielded her son from the animal.♬ original sound – CBS Mornings

I was afraid that if he got scared or screamed or scared the bear, that the bear would react.”

As the bear ate, Angela took a nearby plate and chucked it away from the group. The bear finally came down from the table and made his way to the discarded plate, helping himself to more food. Angela stood up, keeping Silvia and Santiago out of the bear’s view, which let the three of them back away slowly from the bear. Eventually, the stuffed animal wandered away.

Santiago later said that he was scared, but his mother helped comfort him through the terrifying encounter. “I just think I’m a mother who protected her cub,” Silvia said. And, she said, Santiago got his tacos replaced for his birthday dinner. Watch below for a look at this amazing mama bear!

Sources: People | ABC | CTVNews