While exceedingly rare, predatory attacks by grizzly bears on humans can occur. Understanding bear behavior and the circumstances leading to such interactions is important. This article explores grizzly diet, differentiates bear encounters, and discusses rare predatory behavior, alongside practical safety measures.
Grizzly Bear Diet
Grizzly bears are omnivores. A significant portion of their diet, often 80% to 90%, consists of vegetation such as berries, grasses, nuts, roots, and tubers. They also consume insects, rodents, fish like salmon, and larger animals like deer, elk, or moose. This diverse diet varies seasonally and regionally, allowing them to adapt to available food sources. Humans are not a natural or preferred food source.
Understanding Bear Encounters
Human-bear interactions primarily fall into two categories: defensive attacks and predatory attacks. Most bear attacks are defensive, occurring when a bear feels threatened. These situations often arise from surprising a bear at close range, a mother protecting her cubs, or a bear defending a food source. Defensive behaviors can include jaw popping, huffing, and bluff charges, where the bear charges but stops short.
Predatory attacks, where a bear views a human as potential prey, are far less common. In these rare instances, the bear exhibits stalking behaviors such as intent focus, circling, or using cover to approach. Predatory attacks are dangerous due to the bear’s determination. Recognizing the type of encounter is important, as the appropriate human response differs significantly.
Rare Predatory Behavior
Predatory behavior in grizzly bears is rare, occurring under specific circumstances. Bears that are extremely food-deprived might exhibit such behavior. This can also involve bears habituated to humans, losing their natural fear, or those accustomed to human-sourced food. Sick or injured bears may also behave unpredictably.
A bear that continues to approach, follow, or displays stalking behaviors might be considering a human as prey. If a bear attacks in a tent or aggressively confronts people in a campsite, it should be considered a predatory threat.
Staying Safe
Preventative measures are the best way to minimize the risk of any bear encounter. Making noise while hiking, especially in areas with limited visibility, helps alert bears to your presence, reducing the chance of surprising them. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is an effective deterrent; studies show it is 92% to 94% effective in deterring aggressive grizzlies. Bear spray should be readily accessible, not stored inside a backpack.
Proper food storage is important, as bears are attracted to odors. All food, garbage, and scented items should be stored in bear-resistant containers, hung from a pole, or placed in food storage lockers. Hiking in groups can provide safety, as multiple people make more noise and appear more formidable. If a grizzly bear charges defensively, playing dead by lying flat on your stomach with hands clasped behind your neck is often recommended. If a predatory attack occurs, fighting back with any available means is the advised response.