Bear

Bear pic1

Encountering a wild bear in New England is very rare, because bears usually try to avoid contact with humans. However, there is always a chance of seeing a wild bear when you are camping or in the woods, so it is a good idea to know what to do in this situation (it also provides a great example of why it's often safest to have an adult with you when you are hiking or camping). If you encounter a bear, the most important thing to remember is to STAY CALM, because becoming agitated will only make the bear feel threatened. In addition, it's important not to run away, because a bear can run faster than an Olympic sprinter, meaning that it will always be able to catch up to you. If the bear has not seen you, move away from it quickly and quietly, and give it plenty of space. If the bear has caught sight of you, use a calm, firm voice to speak to it, while backing away slowly, and slowly waving your arms above your head to make yourself seem larger. Do not be surprised if the bear stands on its back legs when it sees you, because they often do this to try to identify what you are. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs, because she will always act aggressively to protect her young2.

For more information about bears and wild animals in general, click here to go to the Q&A page.

 

References:

1) Image is ClipArt from Microsoft Word

2) (2007, October 1). Top 5 tips for surviving a bear encounter. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Listverse Web site: http://listverse.com/nature/top-5-tips-for-surviving-a-bear-encounter/