Wildlife Attacks: How They Happen & How to Avoid Them

Wild animals are captivating and beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Anyone camping in the Yellowstone backcountry knows to carry bear spray, and hikers in the cougar country need to be aware of how to behave if they startle a mountain lion. Although being attacked by a wild animal is a highly unlikely prospect, even when we share their habitat for an extended time, aggressive encounters do occasionally happen. So what can you do to minimize the chance of an unwanted confrontation? In this presentation, Expedition Leader Aaron Bott, who is a large carnivore biologist, discusses that scenario. What might provoke such a situation? And what should you do if you’re confronted by an aggressive mountain lion, bear, wolf or other wild North American mammal that might see you as prey or a problem? Learn how we can be responsible guests within the wild terrain these creatures inhabit.


Originally presented November 6, 2020

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