Bears are wild animals by nature and are very carnivorous too. If you live in an environment with a large variety of wildlife, the probability of you encountering a bear is at high rate and can be very terrifying. This is why you need to know what exactly you need to do in case you ever meet one and increase your chances of surviving a bear attack.
It is very important that you remain calm when you encounter any kind of bear as agitation can lead to the bear advancing toward you. You wouldn’t want an angry bear charging toward you especially when you are still thinking of how to survive an impending bear attack. So you have to stay calm and be on alert.
WHAT TO DO TO SURVIVE A BEAR ATTACK
- Identify The Kind Of Bear Immediately
There are different kinds of bears out there that you might confront. You will need to have prior knowledge of the different kinds of bears available in your area and know their specific characteristics. Even at that, you have to be extremely careful of the size and color of the bear. They can be misleading at times, even if you think you know the exact specie of bear. You just can have an issue differentiating between a grizzly bear and a black bear.
Black bears typically range in color from black to blonde. The bear’s muzzle is typically paler than its body, and many black bears have a white patch on their chest or throat. The Brown bear’s color can range from black to blond, but the typical telltale feature is its silver-tipped, “grizzled” fur (or “streaked with gray hair”, hence the name “grizzly”).
Sloth bears have long, curved claws that they use to dig out termites and ants. They also have pale, short-haired muzzles and shaggy, dusty-black coats. They frequently have a cream-colored “V” or “Y” on their chests. When raiding termite mounds or bee hives, sloth bears’ noses can seal, shielding the animals from dust or insects. They can suck up termites, ants, and other insects thanks to a gap in their teeth.
The Polar bear is typically white and has a body that is longer than a brown bear’s, as well as a longer cranium and nose.
- Access The Bear’s Behavior
You’d want to know if the bear is behaving in an attacking or defensive manner. Make an effort to determine as soon as possible if the bear is acting defensively or if it is attacking you to clear its path to food.
Knowing this will help you to recognize the limits of your ability to convince the bear you pose no threat and ask her to leave you alone by increasing your size, being noisy, playing dead, and any other thing that can keep her off your back.
A bear might be behaving defensively especially if it senses that you pose a threat to her cubs or her portion of food stalked somewhere. It may also be a result of fear or sudden surprise.
- Be Calm While Expecting A Bear Attack
Some charges are pranks or tests to see how you’ll react. If at all a bear attacks you, strive to remain motionless and firm despite how challenging it may be. Some bears won’t be alarmed by your inactivity and quit viewing you as a threat. Nevertheless, while you’re charging, be expectant for an attack by getting your bear spray, sticks, and any other defense material ready.
It is very much possible to survive a bear attack if you take the necessary precautions and always be on alert as stated here. However, one must be very careful not to deliberately venture into a beer area and upset its surroundings.