\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can make noise to scare away bears. They all sport dark-colored fur to some degree, but they're not closely related to American or Asiatic black bears, or to one another. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. A new study reveals how these animals survive on a diet that should kill them. Lay flat on your stomach and spread your legs wide to prevent the bear from turning you over. 1. Once upon a time, there was an owl named Flaco who lived in a small zoo in the middle of a big park in America's largest city. Packed with step-by-step survival guides to some of the most remarkable scenarios imaginable. To be honest, with human development one of the significant causes of habitat loss, it's increasingly likely that you'll see bears in town, drawn by the lure of food waste. To know what to do when encountering bears, it is important to understand the different behaviors of the bears commonly found throughout North America.. Hungry polar bears are now going farther inland for food, a habit that increasingly puts them at odds with humans. Polar bears keen sense of smell often draws them near human waste and animal carcasses. "This article is complete and comprehensive. According to Smith, a firearm may seem like the strongest deterrent; however, "most humans are not good with guns under extreme stress.". August 9, 2020 / 7:01 PM / CBS News. Firearms are harder to use because people don't have much practice shooting something that's running at them. If you happen to be holding something noisy, like a pot, bang it repeatedly while you talk, sing, or shout. I purchased this book for my husband as a stocking stuffer and he ended opening it on Christmas Eve instead of in the stocking. Thats always going to be a better option than playing dead. While it can be exciting to see a bear wandering around, it is important to remember that bears are wild animals, and wild animals can be dangerous and unpredictable. Tuck into a fetal position and protect your neck and head. So if the bear attacking you is in defense mode, playing dead is probably the right thing to do. Yellowstone National Park has seen human-bear conflicts rise in recent years, for example, including two fatal attacks in 2011 (the park's first in 25 years) and another in 2015. Black bears will typically flee from fights rather than engage in them. Black bear attacks are rare, but that doesn't mean you should take them any less seriously. This has been linked to a variety of factors, including habitat loss, human intrusion, food shortages and climate change. However, bears do not always respond to bear spray. Some other tips to help avoid bear attacks include:. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you do have bear spray, use that instead of trying to physically fight the bear. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Or a tornado? They can usually be observed early in the mornings and evenings as they forage for food, but they prefer to spend the bulk of daytime resting. Detailed and entertaining as always with Bill's books. The species, time of year and other details dictate the best response, but here's an overview of how to handle these harrowing encounters: Brown bears (aka grizzly bears) are the most widespread bear species in the world, found across much of Eurasia and northwestern North America. If you make yourself appear as a threat by waving your arms, shouting, and making yourself big, you should scare black bears away. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Giant pandas could be left hungry and struggling to survive by global warming, scientists have warned. In the backcountry, you can take steps to avoid bear encounters. For most people, bear encounters don't look anything like that. When visiting national or state parks, or any outdoor facility, be sure to check in at the nearest visitor center or backcountry office. Since the giant panda was first discovered by a French naturalist in 1869, it has become a global symbol for conservation with the World Wildlife Fund using it as its logo. Point the nozzle just above the bear's head so that the spray falls into the bear's eyes, nose and throat. It may think youre a deer or something like that, or it smells food youre carrying. They're easily drawn to campsites for the same reason they're drawn into towns: free food. Polar bears are enormous and can stand anywhere between 7 and 10 feet tall. You may want to drop your backpack, run away, or attempt to climb a tree, but do not make any swift movements. Typically, bears only get aggressive when they feel threatened. Rates vary based on order total. Instead, stay calm, keep your bear spray in your hand, and slowly back away while talking in an appeasing voice. The good news is that unless you specifically head into the Arctic circle, you're unlikely to stumble across a wild polar bear. Dont panic. Unfortunately, your shopping bag is empty. When they do attack, it's usually because they were either starved or startled. When you are attacked, the first thing you should do is to protect your organs. Make noise and be alert and aware of families of bears, and you should never have to use any of the above methods. It will also send the bear running off. When youre on the hunt for the perfect gift for a truly avid outdoorsman, no mere piece of gear will do. Bears aren't the only animal that may attack if spooked. Be sure to keep your elbows wide and cover your neck with your hands. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime. You should report any encounters to the proper authorities. You should be careful when using bear spray as the stream can be manipulated by the wind and potentially hurt you. They pile on lots of fat from this diet, packed onto their sturdy frames to endure the bitter Arctic winter. Bears don't want to attack people. March 2, 2023 / 10:24 AM You may have seen the bitter irony of death coming to people who seemed to have long and promising lives ahead of them. Stand your ground If it doesn't notice you, slowly retreat. All rights reserved. Step 2: Stay on the Path. Here are a few tips on how to survive a bear attack. A black bear may stomp their feet or growl loudly instead of charging. Now he steps up with a Survival Guide hardly trivial! Remain calm When you spot a bear nearby, the most important thing to remember is not to panic. Firearms are not as effective as bear spray, but this is partly due to the fact that most people have limited experience with a firearm. "Black bears can be dangerous if they . Shout, make yourself known, holler, talk to one another loudly, and generally make some noise. Disappointing. Preventing a bear from accessing your food is essential if you plan to spend time in bear country. Even if you do happen to confuse or surprise a bear and they end up attacking, bear spray will quickly send them running away. The Chinese call them "Xiongmao" meaning "bear that looks like a cat." The adjective they use is "meng" which translates, "cute like a baby." Until recently . You can remember to fight black bears with the motto, If its black, fight back.. ", "Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park," the agency said. In general, take the same precautions you would in grizzly country: Carry bear spray in areas where black bears are active, keep food and trash packed away, and make noise when. It's a true bucket-list adventure, after all. Regardless, well break down everything you need to know about preventing bear attacks, scaring them off, and surviving in the event that the worst happens. ", If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend downeven if you feel the friendship has run its course.. Alerting bears to your presence is usually the most effective way to avoid startling them. In order to keep yourself safe, you must always stay alert and aware of your surroundings. References Despite the uniqueness of each situation, there are standard actions to employ during bear encounters. What if you found yourself the sole survivor of some awful incident, and had to make a new home for yourself stranded on a desert island? This is the most effective way to survive if a bear attacks. Another author of another book said that our human lives are very fragile. Polar bears. But climate change may also expand grizzlies' range, possibly even into polar bear habitat. Step 3: Do not be tempted torun orclimb a tree. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.