Bears are large, powerful wild animals. Though capable of serious injury or death, direct attacks on humans are rare. Most bears are not interested in humans as a food source and generally prefer to avoid interaction. Understanding bear behavior and taking appropriate precautions are crucial for safety in bear habitats.
Why Bears Attack
Bears typically attack humans for two primary reasons: defense or predation. Defensive attacks are the most common, occurring when a bear feels threatened, surprised, or is protecting cubs or food. The bear’s objective is to neutralize the perceived threat and encourage the human to leave. These attacks often involve warning behaviors like huffing, jaw popping, or bluff charges, which intimidate. Such encounters are short-lived, resulting in minor injuries or no physical contact.
Predatory attacks, conversely, are extremely rare but represent instances where a bear views a human as potential prey. Contributing factors include extreme hunger, habituation to human food, or the animal being sick or injured. Unlike defensive encounters, predatory attacks are silent and persistent, with the bear actively stalking and pursuing the human.
Bear Species and Associated Risks
The likelihood and nature of a bear attack vary by species. Black bears are shy and less aggressive towards humans. While they can be involved in defensive encounters, fatal attacks by black bears are uncommon and often predatory, usually carried out by lone male bears. Mother black bears rarely attack humans in defense of their cubs.
Brown bears, which include grizzlies, are more prone to defensive attacks, especially when surprised, protecting cubs, or defending a food cache. While predatory attacks by brown bears are rare, they are slightly more common than with black bears. These encounters can be more severe, often cause serious injury.
Polar bears are the most likely bear species to view humans as prey. This heightened predatory tendency is attributed to their highly carnivorous diet and the scarcity of food in their arctic habitat. Although polar bear attacks are uncommon, when they do occur, they are often predatory, with nutritionally stressed adult males posing the greatest risk.
Staying Safe in Bear Country
Preventing bear encounters is the most effective way to ensure safety in bear country.
Make noise while hiking (e.g., talking, singing, shouting “Hey bear”) to alert bears, especially in areas with limited visibility or near noisy streams.
Hike in groups to reduce encounter risk.
Carry bear spray readily accessible (not in a backpack) as an effective deterrent.
Store food properly in bear-resistant containers or suspended high to prevent habituation.
Avoid hiking at dawn or dusk when bears are active, and be aware of fresh bear signs like tracks or scat.
If an encounter occurs, remaining calm is essential. Identify yourself to the bear by speaking in a calm voice and slowly waving your arms, to help the bear recognize you as human. Never run, as this can trigger a chase response. If the bear has not noticed you, or during a bluff charge, slowly back away without turning your back.
The appropriate response to an attack depends on the bear’s motivation.
Defensive Attack
For a defensive attack, particularly with grizzly bears or any bear protecting cubs or food, playing dead is advised. Lie flat on your stomach, clasp your hands behind your neck, spread legs to prevent being turned over, and keep your backpack on for protection, remaining still until the bear leaves. If a defensive attack persists, fighting back vigorously may become necessary.
Predatory Attack
For a predatory attack, which is rare but more likely with black bears or polar bears, fighting back, targeting the bear’s face, eyes, and nose, is recommended. In such instances, playing dead is not advised. Bear spray should be deployed when a charging bear is within 15-30 feet, aiming for its face to create a deterrent.