A woman is in critical condition after being attacked by a bear on the outskirts of a forest in Slovenia. Local authorities have issued warnings, advising residents to be cautious and steer clear of the area.
The incident raises an important question: How should one respond to a bear encounter or attack?
According to the U.S. National Park Service, understanding bear behaviour is crucial and could be life-saving. Bears are unlikely to attack humans without reason, typically doing so only when they feel threatened, are protecting their young, or perceive a person as a potential food source.
While every encounter is different, charges can typically be sorted into two categories: bluff and aggressive.
Bluff Charges
Bluff charges are more common and aim to scare or intimidate.
The park service says that when a bear bluff charges, it will usually have its head and ears up and forward, it will puff itself to look bigger, and bound on its front paws toward you, moving in big leaps before stopping short or veering off to one side.
So what should you do?
In this situation, regardless of the bear type, you should slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak in a calm voice. When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm, and only when it stops should you slowly retreat.
Whatever you do, don’t run off during a bluff charge.
Aggressive Charges
Aggressive charges are cause for concern.
The park service says warning signs of an aggressive charge may be when a bear yawns or clacks their teeth, pounds their front paws on the ground while huffing, has its head down and ears pointed back.
Be ready to protect and defend yourself. But at this point, it’s important to distinguish what kind of bear you’re up against.
Black bear
If a black bear charges and attacks you, your best option is to stand your ground and fight back.
“Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bear’s face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself,” the park service suggests. But they are agile and adept at climbing trees, so on no account ascend the branches to evade them.
Hopefully, this will alarm the bear into a retreat.
Brown bear
If a grizzly or brown bear charges and attacks you, play dead. Panicking or screaming will alarm the bear and cause it to attack.
“Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Lay flat on your stomach, and spread your legs apart. Keep your pack on, it will help protect you during an attack. Stay still and don’t make any noise,” it said.
“Fighting back during an attack from a grizzly/brown bear will usually worsen the attack, but if the attack persists, then fight back with everything you have.”
Polar bears
Polar bears are slightly outside the remit of the U.S. National Park Service.
As polar bears are driven inland as a result of climate change melting the sea ice, encounters with the largest land carnivore on earth are increasingly likely. And while intimidation tactics might work, you won’t have a lot of options.
Best to avoid the scenario at all costs if you can help it.
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