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Prevention: Avoid Hazardous Animals

Most wild animal encounters can be avoided with caution and a little common sense. Follow these rules to experience an enjoyable, safe trip.
  1. Do not provoke animals.Unless they are apex predators, starving, senile, or ill, most animals will not attack humans without provocation.
    • Do not corner or provoke a carnivore, and do not tease an animal by handling it or approaching its young.
  2. Do not disturb a feeding animal. Do not explore into its feeding territory or disrupt mating patterns.
  3. Do not separate fighting animals using your bare hands. If possible, drive animals apart using a long stick or club.
  4. In bear country:
    • Hang all food off the ground in trees away from the campsite. Never keep food or captured game inside a tent.
    • Make noise when hiking, particularly on narrow paths or through tall grass.
    • If attacked by a bear, do not try to outrun it; you can't. Cover your head and the back of your neck with your arms and curl into a fetal position.
  5. Never leave a small child alone with an animal, regardless of the animal's demeanor.


Brought to you by Paul S. Auerbach, MD, author of Medicine for the Outdoors.
- Paul S. Auerbach


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