Europe occupies about 50,000 brown bears, of which a large part of living on the territory of Russia. The rest of the population can be found primarily in Scandinavia, the Baltics, in the Carpathian Mountains, the Balkans, but also in the Alps and on the Iberian peninsular. In the Czech Republic we can only bear encounter in the Beskid Mountains, where it occurs irregularly few individuals of this great beast. Beyond the borders of our country, thus, for example in Austria and the Slovak Republic, but is not meeting with this animal, such as a rarity in this country. Bears are also abundant in Canada, the United States or Asia. Europe inhabited by brown bear (Ursus arctos), which is related to the grizzly bear and the largest species - Kodiak. It weighs up to 800 kilograms and live in Alaska.
unexpected meeting
Seeing a bear in the wild is certainly an unforgettable experience. However, it must realize that this is not a pet, but a wild beast that is not accustomed to human contact. Bears behavior is often unpredictable, moreover, every individual of this species has a different character. Although these attacks of wild beasts are rare, they can cause serious injury or death.
How to survive
Each visitor wildlife should have when meeting a bear in mind a few basic rules.
First of all, try to prevent dangerous encounters. Stick to the trails and observe the ban on entry into the resting areas. During passage through the terrain hard to read, speak, sing or releasing an "unnatural" sounds (eg. Cinkejte keys). Give the bear a chance to avoid you.
The camp do not leave any scraps of food, the smell of food for carnivores strong attraction.
If you see a bear in the distance, stop, be quiet and wait for him to leave. If you block your path, go rather circuitous route.
In the event that you noticed the animal, it is important to speak in a calm deep voice. Bear and know that you are human. Stand on the spot, but slowly move your hands to bear facilitate their identification. Do not panic if one stands on his hind legs. Such an individual is usually curious, not aggressive. The bears do have poor eyesight and standing on his hind legs allows them to better view.
The bear usually detects humans and flee. If not, do not try to scare off the animal, you will attract his attention. Conversely, slow steps to the parties diverge. Throughout try to avoid direct eye contact, which could be understood as a pretext to attack.
If you have a backpack on your back, do not throw it. Can serve as protection against attack.
Always leave the bear an escape route unveiled. These beasts do not intend to kill people, they are afraid of us as we are of them. Usually attacking only when necessary.
Lie down or run away?
It is interesting that in case of attack brown bear or grizzly bear, you should curl up into a ball and not move. Conversely, during a foray black bear this precept is not recommended - the only reliable protection is to escape to the nearest tree or a high place. When conflict can also be used pepper spray against bears, which when traveling to areas where the incidence of this beast definitely not miss in the equipment. If you do not have at hand and spray the animal still attacking recommended kicking or hitting the bear with his fists in the face.
When any trips into the countryside, it is appropriate to conclude a travel insurance . While it can not guarantee that any bear you meet, but if necessary will cover costs related to health care.
Source: Travel nemoci.cz