| Wild animal attacks are not common. Dogs that live | | | | often survive by curling up on the ground and holding |
| among us are a much more common danger. But | | | | your hands around the back of your neck (to |
| there is something about being attacked by a wild | | | | protect it). |
| animal that is especially disturbing. Of course, we | | | | The animal attacks when you surprise or threaten it - |
| want to avoid this nightmare, and if unavoidable, we | | | | or its cubs. Bears in these circumstances make a lot |
| want to survive it. Some tips on doing both follow. | | | | of noise and may charge you repeatedly, stopping |
| Moose Attacks | | | | before contacting you. Avoid eye-contact and back |
| More common than bear attacks, moose attacks can | | | | away slowly. |
| be just as dangerous. A bull moose can weigh over | | | | The other type of bear attack is predatory. These |
| 1500 pounds. Attacks in the fall, during the mating | | | | are rare, but both black bears and grizzlies |
| season, are most likely. Winter is the second most | | | | occasionally prey on humans for food. Such attacks |
| common time - they are just pissed off because of | | | | are quieter. The bear will have its head down and |
| all the snow and lack of things to eat. | | | | come straight at you, watching you closely. He is |
| Be especially watchful during fall and winter, then to | | | | assessing whether you are an easy meal or not. |
| avoid an attack. When you see a moose, watch | | | | In this case, don't play dead or you will be. Yell, make |
| closely. Do its ears fold back, or the hair on its neck | | | | noise, and look for a weapon. In a worst-case |
| stand up? Does it clench it's teeth? These signs show | | | | scenario, you might have to fight for your life. |
| that it is upset and may attack you. | | | | Fortunately, most adult grizzly bears can't climb trees, |
| Go behind something big, like a boulder or tree. If | | | | so if there is a lot of space still between you (these |
| possible, run and get into a stand of trees, but be | | | | bears are fast), you can try climbing to safety. |
| sure they are not too bushy - you need room to | | | | Various Other Animal Attacks |
| maneuver, in case the moose continues the chase. | | | | Ellephants may swing their trunks, kick up dirt and |
| The good news is that most moose attacks are | | | | hold their ears out before an attack - and make |
| "bluff attacks," which end shortly after they begin. | | | | noise. Get yourself behind a large rock or tree. If that |
| Mountain Lion Attacks | | | | isn't an option, run downhill - elephants are slower |
| These animal attacks are not normally a bluff. Fight | | | | going downhill. |
| with everything you've got, using rocks, your walking | | | | Snakes usually are just warning you, so step away |
| stick, a knife - anything. A jogger in Colorado | | | | slowly. It is very unlikely that a snake will chase you. |
| successfully got a cougar to let go of his head (it | | | | Avoid the problem to begin with by watching the trail |
| was in the animal's jaws) by sticking his thumb into | | | | carefully and probing with a walking stick before |
| the cat's eye. You have to convince the mountain lion | | | | stepping over logs. |
| that you're not the easy meal he thought you were. | | | | Get between mother baboon and her baby, and the |
| Before an attack - when you and the cat are looking | | | | whole troop may attack. Back away, while shouting |
| at each other - your goal is the same. Let him know | | | | and clapping. Drop any food you have in your hands, |
| you're trouble, and look big, by standing tall with your | | | | and don't yawn or stare - these are signs of |
| jacket opened up. Yell, and slowly back away while | | | | agression to baboons.. |
| looking for a weapon. Whatever you do, don't turn | | | | Don't feed wild animals, or provoke them. Learn to |
| and run or crouch down - behaviors that will trigger | | | | use the zoom function on the camera instead of |
| the mountain lion's instinct to attack. | | | | getting closer to wild animals. Basically, just use |
| Bear Attacks | | | | common sense to avoid animal attacks, and the rules |
| These come in two forms. The classic bluff attack is | | | | above to deal with them. |
| meant to scare you away, but may also kill you due | | | | Copyright Steve Gillman. |
| to the size and strength of most bears. You can | | | | |