Just as you want to avoid bears, most bears want to avoid you too (Photo: Greg and Jan Ritchie/Shutterstock)
Bears don’t want to attack humans. Far more bears are killed by people than people are killed by bears, and many bears seem to be aware of this ratio. When they do attack humans, it’s often because they’re extremely hungry or feel threatened.
Although they don’t intend to harm people, bear attacks on humans are increasing in some parts of the world. Yellowstone National Park reports that human-bear conflicts have become more frequent in recent years, including two fatal attacks in 2011 (the first in 25 years at Yellowstone) and another in 2015. In June 2016, a cyclist was killed by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park, Montana. Wildlife officials in Canada and the United States struggle with these issues, and other countries such as Japan and Russia face similar problems. These incidents are linked to various factors, including habitat loss, human encroachment, food scarcity, and climate change.
Bear behavior is influenced by both their innate temperament and environmental factors. For example, American black bears are relatively docile and easily startled, while polar bears are more aggressive and likely to view humans as prey. Fully understanding bear attacks remains a complex task. Since we can’t communicate our peaceful intentions to bears, it’s best to keep your distance.
Still, occasional close encounters are inevitable. Most people are surprised when they see a bear staring at them, and their subsequent actions are often misguided. The type of bear encountered, the season, and other details determine the best course of action—but here’s a general guide on how to handle these unfortunate situations.
Brown Bears
Conflicts with North American grizzly bears (pictured above) have been rising in the U.S., partly due to growing bear and human populations, and partly due to food shortages believed by some scientists to result from global warming. But climate change may also expand grizzly territory, potentially even encroaching on polar bear habitats.
If you encounter a brown bear, keep the following in mind:
·Carry bear spray.This is essential in grizzly country. Keep it in a holster or front pocket so you can access it within seconds. (Bear spray can be more effective than a gun, as one or two bullets may not quickly stop an adult grizzly.)
·Don’t sneak around.If you think a bear is nearby, talk, sing, or make noise to let it know you’re there—just don’t startle it. If you see a bear but it hasn’t noticed you, leave it alone.
·Don’t attract them.Unattended food and garbage—even if secured—can attract bears. Minimize waste when camping or hiking, and store food properly (some parks provide bear-proof containers). Dogs are also very appealing to bears, so it’s best to leave pets at home.
·Don’t run.If you encounter a grizzly, stay still, remain calm, and slowly move your hand toward your bear spray. Don’t worry if the bear stands up—it’s usually just curious. Back away slowly if possible, and get your spray ready. If the bear follows you, stop and stand your ground.
·Aim and spray.The ideal range is 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters). The goal is to create a pepper spray barrier between you and the bear.
·Play dead.If the bear keeps coming, lie flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Keep your belly pressed to the ground or curl into a fetal position with your knees tucked under your chin. Don’t move.
·Stay down.Even if the bear attacks, it likely sees you as a threat. Since you can’t overpower it, playing dead is your best bet. Don’t get up even if it walks away. Grizzlies may linger to ensure you’re no longer a threat, so hold the position for at least 20 minutes.
·Punch him in the nose or eyes.This might deter a grizzly attack, but always consider counterattacking as a last resort. Playing dead is the better strategy. However, if you have a chance to escape, back away slowly—don’t run.
American black bear
The American black bear is the most common bear species in North America. (Photo: David Osborn/Shutterstock)
Two main types of black bears: the American black bear and the Asian black bear. Though separated by the Pacific Ocean, they are more closely related to each other than to the brown bears that share their habitats. The American black bear (pictured) is the smallest and most common bear in North America, with nearly 900,000 spread from Alaska to the Atlantic. In contrast, the Asian black bear (found in China, Japan, Korea, and Russia) is endangered due to deforestation and the controversial "bear farming" industry.
American black bears occasionally attack humans, but because they are smaller, faster, and better climbers than grizzlies, they usually prefer to flee rather than fight. On the other hand, Asian black bears are more likely to attack humans, and scientists say worsening climate conditions are exacerbating this tendency.
If you encounter a black bear, keep the following in mind:
·Bear alert.Generally, follow the same precautions as for grizzlies: carry bear spray in bear country, store food and trash properly, and make noise while walking in the woods to avoid surprising a bear.
·Stay still.Black bears are less aggressive than grizzlies. Simply showing that you’re bigger and louder can often make them leave. Yell, wave your arms, and create a commotion. Use a stick or anything else to make yourself appear larger. As with grizzlies, never run—they often bluff, and the best strategy is to stay put and use spray only if the bear gets too close.
·Use bear spray.Spray can be effective, though not as much as against grizzlies. The same principles apply: when the bear is 40 to 50 feet away, deploy the spray to create a pepper cloud barrier.
·Fight back.Unless you’re physically unable to move, fighting a black bear is a better self-defense strategy than playing dead. Make noise and act intimidating throughout, but if the bear gets too close, grab whatever you can to use as a weapon. If that fails, punch or kick it in the nose. Do everything you can to scare it off, targeting weak spots. Try to create distance between you and the bear, but don’t run—you want to scare it away.
Polar bear
The polar bear is the largest bear. (Photo: AndreAnita/Shutterstock)
Polar bears aren’t just the largest bears—they’re also the largest land-based carnivores. Unlike other bears, which are omnivorous, they eat only seals and fish, gaining massive fat reserves to survive the harsh Arctic winters.
Humans stand no chance against any bear in a one-on-one fight, and polar bears are especially dangerous. They rarely see humans and are more likely to view them as prey. But because they live in isolated Arctic regions and are solitary, attacks on humans are extremely rare.
This dynamic is changing due to climate change, as warming Arctic temperatures reduce sea ice, making it harder for polar bears to hunt seals. Hungry polar bears are venturing inland and gradually becoming more accustomed to human encounters.
If you see a polar bear, remember:
·Good luck.Polar bears are the largest bears in the world, and they’re harder to scare off than brown or black bears. The best strategy is to avoid encountering them altogether.
· Don’t act like prey. That’s actually good advice, especially when it comes to polar bears. They’re the most likely bear species to see you as takeout, and running will only confirm their suspicions. Oh, and they can run a lot faster than you on snow and ice.
· Act threatening.Polar bears might see through this trick, especially if they’re hungry, but it’s worth a try. If the bear hasn’t seen you or isn’t interested, don’t panic too much. But if it approaches, stand tall, shout, and try to look like something it should fear.
· Or bear spray.That’s your best bet, because you can’t really hope to intimidate a polar bear, and its habitat doesn’t offer much in the way of cover. In grizzly territory, you want to make sure the spray is within reach and that you’ve practiced using it beforehand. But in the howling Arctic wind—well… please, do check the wind direction before spraying.
· Don’t give up.Unfortunately, compared to their smaller bear cousins, playing dead or fighting back doesn’t help much against polar bears. They’re more interested in eating you than assessing whether you’re a threat, so playing dead is basically surrender. Fighting back is pretty useless too, but if you’re being knocked around by a one-ton polar bear, you’ve got little choice. Go for the nose and eyes like with other bears, and steer clear of their swiping paws—those can be lethal.