What to watch out for in the forest. How to protect yourself from wild animals in the forest? Measures to eliminate damage caused by deforestation

Measures to eliminate damage caused by deforestation

In order to stop the process of forest destruction, norms for the wise use of forest resources should be developed. It is necessary to adhere to the following directions:

• conservation of forest landscapes and its biological diversity;
• maintaining uniform forest management without depleting forest resources;
• training the population in the skills of caring for the forest;
• strengthening control at the state level over the conservation and use of forest resources;
• creation of forest accounting and monitoring systems;
• improvement of forest legislation,

Replanting trees often does not cover the damage caused by cutting down. In South America, South Africa and Southeast Asia, forest areas continue to decline inexorably.

In order to reduce damage from logging, it is necessary:

• Increase areas for planting new forests
• Expand existing ones and create new protected areas and forest reserves.
• Deploy effective measures to prevent forest fires.
• Conduct measures, including preventive ones, to combat diseases and pests.
• Conduct selection of tree species resistant to environmental stress.
• Protect forests from the activities of mining enterprises.
• Realize fight against poachers.
• Use effective and least harmful logging techniques. Minimize wood waste and develop ways to use it.
• Deploy methods of secondary wood processing.
• Encourage ecological tourism.

What people can do to save forests:

• use paper products rationally and economically;
• buy recycled products, including paper. It is marked with the recycled sign;
• green the area around your home;
• replace trees cut down for firewood with new seedlings;
• draw public attention to the problem of forest destruction.

Man cannot exist outside of nature, he is part of it. And at the same time, it is difficult to imagine our civilization without the products that the forest provides. In addition to the material component, there is also a spiritual relationship between the forest and man. Under the influence of the forest, the culture and customs of many ethnic groups are formed, and it also serves as a source of existence for them.
Forest is one of the cheapest sources of natural resources; 20 hectares of forest areas are destroyed every minute. And humanity should now think about replenishing these natural resources, learn to competently manage forest management and the wonderful ability of forests to renew themselves.

Recently, wild animal attacks on people have become more frequent in forests. Mushroom pickers and tourists are at greatest risk, however, everyone else may find themselves face to face with a wolf or bear: predators often come out of the forest in search of food. the site tells you what to do and how to behave when meeting a wild animal.

Bear

When meeting a bear, you should not try to run away. Photo: pixabay.com

Hunters say: wild animals themselves avoid meeting people, and in order to avoid encountering a bear, it is enough to follow some rules of behavior in the forest. Experts advise moving through the forest not alone, but in a group, and talking loudly to warn the animal of your approach: then the animal will not show itself. It is best to stop for a rest in open areas of the forest, and after cooking on a fire, all leftover food must be burned - the bear can smell the food and come out to people. You also need to burn tin cans. If you suddenly meet bear cubs in the forest, you should not stop to take a couple of photos or just admire the cubs: their mother bear is walking nearby, and she definitely will not like the fact that you are getting close to her cubs.

If you were unable to avoid the meeting and you see a bear approaching, you need to try to remain calm, no matter how difficult it is: in such a situation, a cool mind is your main assistant. If the bear has not noticed you, try to silently hide from its field of vision and carefully leave the forest. If a predator is looking at you, talk to him in a low voice. The animal may come closer and stand on its hind legs to sniff you and make sure there is no threat. At the same time, it is better not to move and under no circumstances run away - the predator will regard this as a danger and will quickly be able to catch up with you. Don't try to climb a tree. When the bear is aggressive and about to attack, lie down on the ground and play dead. Most often, the forest dweller sees that the person does not pose a threat, sniffs him and leaves. In other cases, it remains, on the contrary, to scream loudly, call for help and, if possible, rattle with metal objects: when the predator sees other people, it will get scared and run away.

Wolf

The wolf feels fear acutely. Photo: pixabay.com

The wolf feels fear better than all predators, so when meeting him, first of all, you must remember to remain calm. Under no circumstances turn your back to the wolf: he will regard this as a reason to attack. If you encounter a whole pack, slowly step back, facing the wolves, and talk loudly. Try to climb the first tree you come across.

If the wolf attacks, try not to let yourself be knocked to the ground, stay on your feet as long as possible and loudly call for help. You can try inserting a thick stick into the predator's mouth. When the jaw closes, the animal will experience pain, try to get rid of the obstacle, and you will have time to escape.

Boar

You can escape from the wild boar in a tree. Photo: pixabay.com

Most often, a wild boar attack is provoked by the person himself. The beast attacks first if it is wounded and enraged: in such a situation it is better not to catch its eye. While the animal does not see you, you can try to hide unnoticed, but when a wounded boar sees a person and runs at him, there are only a few seconds left for action, and you cannot hesitate.

The best way to protect yourself is to climb a tree, even if it’s not tall, but strong. Boars cannot climb or jump and will soon lose interest in you. The animal can be scared away by the hunter's signals - special pyrotechnic cartridges. Do not try to use them as a means of self-defense: the boar will only become even more angry. Point the charges into the air - in most cases the animal will leave.

Lynx

Lynx rarely attacks first. Photo: pixabay.com

The lynx behaves very carefully and tries never to catch the eye of a person. Even if the animal sees tourists or mushroom pickers, it will not attack and will prefer to remain unnoticed. Danger exists only if the animal is wounded. It is almost impossible to prevent an attack, since the lynx usually hides in tree branches and appears unexpectedly.

However, we should not forget that the lynx is the same cat, only big, and it is quite shy. The animal can be forced to leave by actively waving its arms and making loud noises.

If you see an animal moving away, do not try to get closer to it or lure it to you: the meeting may end in failure.

Elk

Often, a moose can be more dangerous than a bear. Photo: pixabay.com

Although moose are herbivores, they can often be more dangerous to humans than bears. Moose are most aggressive during the mating season, which usually takes place in early autumn. In this situation, the elk is extremely dangerous, and it will be much easier to prevent such a meeting than to escape when it has already taken place.

If you see that the bark on the trees is peeled off at about the height of a man, it means that a moose is walking nearby. You can also recognize its nearby location by the piles of droppings on the ground.

When the animal does see you, try to hide behind a tree. As you know, moose have poor eyesight, and the elk may lose sight of you. Don't run: this will only make him more aggressive. While the animal is looking at you, freeze and do not move, and if the elk attacks, climb a tree and wait for it to leave.

When going into the forest to pick mushrooms, or going on a long hike with tents, remember that, first of all, you are going to someone else’s house, the inhabitants of which are wild animals. It could be a harmless squirrel, a peace-loving elk, or a female bear with cubs, who, upon seeing a person, will certainly decide that you pose a threat to her.

Most cases of human bites by wild animals are caused by people themselves. We get too close to them, we are curious, we want to photograph, touch, feed, we neglect safety measures when communicating with animals.

Quite recently, a video from the Arkhangelsk region appeared on the Internet. Five builders were filming the cubs and having fun. A minute later, an angry bear came out of the forest and rushed at the people. Three construction workers died on the spot.

Going to the forest

If you follow safety rules and are careful and observant, meeting forest dwellers can be quite safe. When going into the forest, you need to take the necessary standard kit: a folding knife, a charged phone, matches, a bottle of water, pepper spray.
It is better to go into the forest in a group of two or three people. If you are going to stay in the forest overnight, then be sure to decide who will be on duty and make sure that the fire does not go out. As a rule, at night any wild animal will be afraid of fire and will not come close to the camp site. Along the perimeter of the tent city, you can mark the territory with your own urine or string a rope with something that jingles, for example, tie bottles or cans. To avoid attracting animals with odors, it is better to put leftover food in a tight bag.
Let's look in more detail at which forest animals most residents of our country can encounter, and how to behave so that the animals do not show aggression.

Bear

Bears are extremely rare in the forests of the European part of our country due to their extermination. The largest populations live in the Leningrad and Novgorod regions, Bashkiria, Siberia, and the Far East. As a rule, they do not hunt humans, unlike wolves. In summer, bears are mainly provided with plant and animal food, so they do not pose a danger to humans. The exception is the period from May to June - the time of active breeding of bears. In winter, these animals hibernate for 3-6 months.

Bear attacks on people usually happen for two reasons.
1. First - if you accidentally woke up the bear after hibernation. During this period, he will be especially hungry and aggressive.
2. The second possible reason for a bear attack is mother bear meeting with cubs on your way.
Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from a bear is to try not to encounter it.

How to prevent meeting a bear in the forest?

It is important to be cautious and careful in the forest, especially if the forest is in the habitat of bears. It is better to avoid a dense overgrown forest, as it reduces the likelihood of seeing an animal from afar and having time to get away from it. Most often, encounters with bears occur in places where there are a lot of berries, or along the banks of the river.
As a rule, in places where food is collected, bears do not behave aggressively, but, on the contrary, when they smell or hear a person, they will move away from him. Therefore, in order to avoid meeting a bear, be loud, talk, step on cracking branches, sing in the forest, whistle.
Particular attention should be paid to bear trails. If you see a bear's footprint in the snow in the spring, this may be evidence of its awakening from hibernation. You need to go around this place and go in the direction opposite to the direction the animal is moving.

Proper disposal of garbage, especially food waste, is also the key to safe coexistence between humans and bears. By creating spontaneous landfills in the forest, directly next to a village or in the fields, we thereby attract wild animals closer to humans and create a lack of fear in them. Bears should not form associations between food and humans. For the same reason, if you stay overnight in the forest, try to hide the leftover food as best as possible, put it in a tent, and wrap it in several bags.

If you unexpectedly meet a bear

If you notice a bear in the forest near you, you need to move away to a safe distance as quietly as possible without panic.
If the bear notices you, but does not run, you need to try to drive him away by shouting or shooting into the air. False flares and a flare gun, which are sold in fishing stores, are suitable as deterrents. You can also spray pepper spray so that its pungent smell will scare away the bear, or set fire to the clothes you take off.
Don't quickly run away from a bear. It is necessary to slowly, turning to face him, move away. You can only run when you are so far away that the bear disappears from your field of vision.
There are situations in which you can see a bear cub in the forest. You should not try to touch it or take a photo, as the bear is most likely somewhere nearby.

If the bear is at a distance of 5-7 meters from you, then most likely this will be followed by an attack. It is important to note that before an attack, a bear may not show any outward signs of aggression. The video above is evidence of this. Conversely, if a bear stands on its hind legs, this may not mean that it wants to attack. Therefore, admiring bears in the forest leads to tragic consequences.

What to do if you are attacked by a bear

The best thing to do when a bear notices you is to distract him. If there is a mountain or hill somewhere nearby, this will help you gain a few minutes in the fight with the bear. The fact is that due to its massive weight, it will be difficult for him to see you on a hill.
If you have a basket of berries or a backpack in your hands, then you need to put it in front of you. Many stories indicate that in such cases people were saved by pretending to be dead. It is best to lie on the ground in the fetal position, while protecting your head with your hands. You can use a wearing backpack as a shield.
Even if you feel that the bear has already lost interest in you, but is nearby, you should not move or get up.
If the bear does attack, then you need to try to inflict strong blows on it with a knife, for example, in the eye or nose. You can throw any objects you have at the bear, while trying to hit its sensitive face. It's good if you have pepper spray with you, which you can spray directly into the bear's eyes. At the same time, try not to look the bear in the eyes. There is always a chance to survive in a fight with an animal, but in the case of a bear it is small, since it is very strong and fast.

Since bears are very good at climbing trees, especially young ones, do not try to hide from him in a tree. Large bears can knock down a tree, and then you will have even less chance of survival. If you have already climbed a tree from a bear, then the only thing that can save you is to hold on to thin, high branches that will not give the bear the opportunity to hang.

Bears swim very well, so it is unlikely to be possible to hide from it in the water.

Wolves

There are six subspecies of wolves in Russia. In the European part of the Russian Federation, you can most often find the gray wolf from fairy tales - the Central Russian wolf.
In the south of Russia, in the steppes and in the Lower Volga region, the steppe wolf lives.
The lifestyle of a wolf differs in many ways from that of a bear. Wolves, as a rule, move in packs of 5-11 wolves and track their prey for a long time. Often you may not even notice that wolves are hunting you. One huntsman described how he was walking along an abandoned road in the forest. After 20 minutes, he decided to return back along the same road and noticed even traces of wolves on it. The tracks were laid literally a meter or two from his own. So he realized that he had almost become prey to the hunting wolves.
In summer, the flock may temporarily split into smaller ones. However, it is unlikely to meet them in the forest during the day. They live in very dense spruce forests, thickets of reeds, overgrown ravines and swamps, where people often cannot pass.
In winter, from January-February, wolves begin the so-called rut, that is, the wedding period, the most dangerous in terms of the aggressiveness of wolves. In winter, wolves hunt even during the day.
And yet, recently cases of wolf attacks on people in central Russia are extremely rare. Over the past 50 years, only eight fatal wolf attacks on humans have been recorded. Statistics indicate that wolves attack most often in Belarus, with Kirov and Irkutsk regions, the Republic of Karelia and Ukraine in second place. Wolves will hunt people only in the absence of food or if they have bitten people before. Such cases were recorded in the period after World War II, when many people were killed in the forests. After this, the wolves began to attack residents of nearby villages and towns more intensely. Wolves suffering from rabies are also often attacked. Most of these incidents occur in spring and autumn.

Signs of a rabid wolf
1. Mad wolves often run alone, run out onto public roads, and enter villages and towns.
2. A sick wolf, as a rule, has dripping saliva, a tucked tail, a lowered head, and cloudy eyes.

How to behave when meeting a wolf

Wolves most often attack single tourists in the forest, as well as women and children. Cases of wolf attacks on men are extremely rare.
If you see a wolf from afar, it is best to move away unnoticed. You cannot look the wolf in the eyes and turn your back to it. If a wolf presses his ears back and crouches down, this is a sure sign that he is preparing to jump. In such a situation, it is best to climb a tree or throw any available food to the wolf to distract it. Do not be afraid that you will sit on the tree for a long time; as a rule, after a few hours the wolves leave the intended victim.
People who meet wolves in the forest note that if the wolf is already very close, then you need to visually increase your size. Wolves do not attack those who are larger and stronger than them. This can be done, for example, by picking up a log and twisting it in different directions. It is important to roar like a wolf.
If an attack cannot be avoided, then the best position remains the fetal position. It will allow you to cover your face and neck, which are typical wolf bite areas. However, you should not pretend to be dead, as in the case of a bear. The wolf is a very intellectually highly developed creature. If he senses that you are afraid of him, it will immediately make you defenseless.
Pepper spray or a knife will also work to disarm an attacking wolf. If this is not at hand, then any sharp stick will do. The most sensitive thing about a wolf is its head and nose. If you fight off a wolf and it runs into the forest, it will probably attack you again. In this case, we advise you to light a fire or strong smoke (throw leaves into the fire). Wolves are very afraid of smoke. If you are bitten by a wolf, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible to avoid contracting rabies.

If a wolf attacks a person, it will be effective to hide in a deep body of water. In such a situation, the wolf will have less chance of attacking, since it will not reach the bottom with its paws, and you have a chance to swim far away.

Boars

Wild boars inhabit almost all the forests of our country and Europe. Especially many wild boars live in fruit and oak forests. Therefore, you can find traces of this animal quite often. However, wild pigs go out to feed in the forest only at night, because they are very alert and can hear a person five hundred meters away. Having noticed a person, as a rule, the boar will hide itself. However, if you accidentally come across a female boar with small cubs (April-May), then the wild boar may show aggression. If you encounter such animals, it is better to move away from them as soon as possible. If a wild boar attacks, then the best remedy is to climb a tree. Boars cannot look up, so in a tree they will lose sight of you and quickly move away.

Elk

Elk is a fairly large wild animal, its weight can reach 600 kg. They live in almost all forests of Central Russia and Europe. In the summer, moose go into the forest only at night; during the daytime, they escape the heat in overgrown ponds. In normal times, moose are peaceful animals, but on the contrary, they are shy animals that do not show aggression. According to Ivan Yutkin, head of a moose biological station in the Moscow region, people are often themselves to blame for an elk attack on them. Many people, seeing a moose in the forest, try to approach it, touch it, and feed it. This cannot be done, as the animal will begin to defend itself and beat with its hooves.
The only time when moose themselves can attack a person is during the rutting period from August to October. If you meet an aggressive male or female with cubs in the forest, then such animals can be very dangerous. If at the same time the elk is excited, his ears are pressed to his neck, and his head is lowered, this means that he is preparing to attack. There is no point in hiding from moose in the water, because these animals swim very well.
There are several tips from foresters on how to scare away an approaching moose. Since the elk has poor eyesight, you can simply hide behind a tree trunk, so he will lose sight of the person. And also, as discussed above, any animal is afraid of an object that is larger than itself. One journalist told the story of how he scared an aggressive moose by opening a large raincoat in front of him. To scare off an elk, lighting a fire or setting fire to removed clothing is also a suitable option. Almost all animals are afraid of fire and smoke.

______________________

Despite the danger of wild animals in the forest, recently they have increasingly begun to talk about the disappearance of some species. Thus, over the past few years, the number of large predators around the world, whose role in the food chain is irreplaceable, has decreased by 90%. Predators often destroy sick animals, thereby preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the species. In countries where large predators have been completely exterminated, the problems are different. For example, in the forests of Lithuania, due to the lack of large animals, the population of roe deer has increased sharply. As a result, natural food reserves were depleted, and some of the animals simply died. Today you can often see that wild animals are freely sold on the Internet, they are kept in city apartments and houses, and you can take pictures with them. By exterminating wild animals or taking them into captivity, first of all, the biological balance within the forest is disrupted, which can certainly lead to a global environmental disaster in the future.

Walk in the woods- it is always a joy to communicate with the world of living nature; it evokes a whole range of sensations and impressions, painted in spring-summer-autumn-winter colors. However, lovers of such travel must know: a forest is, first of all, a complex complex of relationships between plants, animals, soils, sunlight and night darkness, air and water.

Man in the forest- a guest, and from the point of view of forest inhabitants - an uninvited and uninvited guest, often completely unaware of the rules of behavior “on a visit”. Hence - accidents, emergencies, injuries, fears, legends and myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest conceals.

Animals living in the forest pose a danger to humans. They are very diverse, but it is still possible to formulate several general patterns in their behavior:

1. Animals, especially birds and mammals, are much better adapted to life in the forest than humans. They have more advanced sensory organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell is a strong danger signal for a wild animal.

2. The popular opinion about the timidity of animals, especially large predators, should not be exaggerated too much. For some of them, such as bears and tigers, a very common behavior trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression.

3. Not people, but animals are in the forest on their own territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a typical “border violation”, “invasion” with all the ensuing consequences.

4. In the animal world, unlike human society, the concepts of “stranger” and “enemy”, “unknown” and “dangerous” often coincide, so it is at least naive to count on a friendly attitude on the part of forest inhabitants.

5. Animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from humans, sedentary animals use various methods of passive or active protection. Forest animals are unsurpassed masters of camouflage; they know how to use all kinds of shelters.

6. The behavior of many animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly during certain periods of their life cycle (reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger to humans increases sharply.

7. Any species, even a widespread one, prefers certain habitats, and here the probability of a chance encounter with animals of this species is higher.

Remember two fairly simple and accessible rules that will help you avoid many troubles. It is necessary to have an understanding of the habits of animals and birds, plus be attentive and careful during forest walks.

Emergencies in the forest associated with animals can be divided into two groups: an active attack by a potentially dangerous animal and accidents that occur as a result of careless (or illiterate) handling of an animal, which in a normal situation is quite neutral towards humans.

In the main settlement zone of Russia and Ukraine, situations of the first type are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals - bear, wolf, tiger, lynx, leopard, elk, wild boar, deer. Unprovoked attacks are quite rare. For example, a tiger lunges at people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually the animal attacks: for the purpose of self-defense, during a hunt, when caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals are especially aggressive during this period), protecting offspring, during persistent pursuit under - a wound or simply during a chance meeting with a person, during sudden close “eye to eye” contact.

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most sudden encounters with this animal end in its rapid flight. Nevertheless, cases of unprovoked attacks on people in the European part of Russia are recorded almost every year. Suddenly, mushroom and berry pickers and tourists, as a rule, “look out for the bear.” Sometimes the bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away. However, much more serious incidents are also known, when an animal literally besieged a hunting lodge - sometimes for almost a week! - and did not let people out of there. Cases of aggression from a bear disturbed in its winter den are quite common. However, such “dates” can be easily avoided by knowing the bears’ favorite places in a given forest (bears are quite conservative in choosing areas for dens) and avoiding them as far as possible. A meeting with a wolf is fraught with significant danger, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than to attack. The famous Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat wonderfully described such a sudden meeting. “...We collided nose to nose. We were separated by some two meters... We silently stared at each other. I don’t know what was going on in his massive skull, but my head was filled with a swarm of disturbing thoughts. The amber eyes of a seasoned tundra wolf gazed directly at me; Apparently, he was heavier than me and, undoubtedly, had a much better command of unarmed fighting techniques.

For several seconds neither of us moved, we continued to hypnotize each other with our gaze. The wolf was the first to break the spell. With a leap that would have done honor even to Russian dancers, he soared into the air and took off running..."

In recent years, experts have noted that people encounter wolves in forest areas more often than before. Fans of forest walks, and especially long routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden meeting with a wolf or fox that has rabies. Here an attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its “stupor”, angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, and immediate, literally on the spot, attack. The beast sometimes seems to sputter with saliva; There is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. Under no circumstances should you approach them - they may bite, and then you will have to undergo long-term treatment.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going into the forest it would be useful to obtain information from the SES about outbreaks of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

In recent years, due to the emergence of numerous holiday villages, another serious problem has arisen - feral dogs that gather in packs, often large ones. Animals are very aggressive, secretive and cunning (learned from humans). A meeting with a flock is extremely dangerous in the same cases as with other predators. If you are attacked by such dogs, we advise you to use a unique method of protection. Since many of these animals still remember communicating with humans, a sharp and imperative shout of “no!” often helps.

Wild ungulates common to Russian and Ukrainian forests- moose, wild boar, deer, roe deer are much more timid and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, move away from humans. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger. There are known cases when an elk kept a tree “under siege” for hours, on which an unlucky tourist or hunter was escaping from an angry elk.

How to avoid an unwanted encounter with a wild animal? Perhaps the best way is to reduce the likelihood of a collision to a minimum. Avoid traveling to areas where encountering a predator is common; do not appear in the favorite habitats of dangerous animals. If you do go on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, trampled grass and undergrowth, stripped bark on trees, droppings, feeding sites, and sometimes the remains of prey. Wolves, being the first to sense a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, loud barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially the young. During the rut or feeding, wild boars behave so noisily that it is not so difficult to notice them. You should avoid animal trails, difficult to pass, overgrown with bushes and littered forest areas, and windbreaks. In such places there is a high probability of encountering an animal, and it is also extremely inconvenient to retreat here. When going into the forest (preferably not alone), be sure to tell about where you are going to go and when you expect to return.

But what to do if an unpleasant date does happen? First of all, don’t lose your presence of mind! Try not to panic. Experienced hunters believe that an animal feels when a person is afraid of it, your fear will only spur aggression, i.e. the animal’s instinct to attack a weaker enemy may be triggered. No sudden movements or shrill screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare, and not attract, the animal in this way. However, sometimes the scream actually confuses the animal and even sends it into a stampede. Stories are told of how a man, with his arms outstretched, ran screaming towards a bear, who retreated in fear. However, not everyone is capable of such actions!

When meeting a bear or tiger, you should not turn your back to the animal: he will regard such a position as proof of your weakness. A person naturally tries to run away from danger, but in this case, flight is good only if you are absolutely sure that you will reach a safer place (for example, a hunting lodge, a tree, a car, etc.) faster than a predator, and to do this It is extremely difficult in forest conditions. It is almost impossible to escape from a bear or a tiger; Moreover, for all predators, the flight of the prey only fuels the desire to pursue it. Experts, as the best way out of the situation, advise freezing in place, and then, as calmly as possible, backing away, retreating and, only having moved 10-15 meters away, also slowly, sideways. At these moments, it is very important not to provoke the predator into aggressive behavior with excessive courage or, on the contrary, cowardice, and not to aggravate the situation, which at the very beginning is more neutral than downright dangerous. The experience of unexpected encounters with a tiger shows that in approximately 80% of cases the animal does not show aggression at the first moment, behaves “cognitively”, does not leave the person, but does not approach him either. The tiger can simply stand still and look in the direction of the stranger, and then walk away with dignity.

Experienced people do not advise looking directly into the eyes of a predator for a long time, since such a look (and a person, numb with fear, usually looks intently at the animal) can be perceived as competition and will only spur aggression.

When retreating, you need to carefully monitor the animal’s facial expressions in order to predict its intentions. A bear, for example, has a good “indicator” of a relatively calm state—upright ears. If the ears are pressed to the head, the fur on the back of the neck stands on end, the animal bares its teeth, trembles, and hunches a little, it means that it is really angry and ready to attack.

When you are faced with a large predator nose to nose, remember that there is a certain critical distance, at which the situation will still remain fairly neutral and the animal will most likely not dare to attack first, but will only scare you. If the distance is less than critical, then the predator may feel driven into a corner and go ahead, that is, rush at the person. Therefore, if you suddenly find yourself, for example, directly in front of a bear, move a few meters to the side, maintaining a critical distance.

While in the forest, it is sometimes worth making your presence known (by voice or other means), as if warning the animals and giving them the opportunity to leave. In general, if a person is not hunting, the most correct thing for him is to walk noisily, talk loudly or hum. But the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract an extremely dangerous predator, the connecting rod bear.

Experienced hunters also talk about more “exotic” methods of behavior at critical moments of an encounter with a predator. This, for example, is “persuading” an animal: a person began to talk affectionately about something and a calm intonation softened the aggressive tension of the animal. In some cases, objects thrown aside helped - a backpack, a hat, a sweater, food; they distracted the predator's attention and gave them time to retreat. Another way to reduce the aggression of an animal is to pretend to be dead, as some small animals do. It is recommended to fall on your side, curl up into a ball if possible, reducing the surface of your body, and hide your head. It is likely that the animal will sniff you, touch you, or even move you for a long time - you need to be prepared for this and be patient.

To avoid direct contact with a predator, all methods are good, since an unprepared person has very little chance of emerging victorious in a fight with a tiger, wolf or bear. Meanwhile, experts note that hand-to-hand combat with a brown bear more often ends in serious injuries than death on the spot; the animal is more likely to “remember” but not kill. There were cases when hunters, having fallen into the arms of a bear, acted so decisively and courageously (any means were used, including blows to the sensitive nose and bites!) that the animal retreated.

And yet, let us remind you once again: there are no rules of behavior that would guarantee absolute safety for an unarmed person when meeting a large predator. The most important thing is to try to avoid encounters with wild animals.

Another type of emergency situation is careless handling of forest inhabitants that are quite harmless at first glance. Unfortunately, such emergencies happen much more often than attacks by large animals, and people themselves are primarily to blame for them.

From this point of view, many forest animals can be considered potentially dangerous. First of all, this is a vast and diverse group of poisonous animals.

Under certain circumstances, arachnids and insects, especially biting and stinging ones, pose a danger - beetles, ants, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, butterflies. These small, mobile animals, almost invisible in dense grass or bushes, can penetrate the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, which can lead to serious injuries, especially in children. Rests and overnight stays during the hike should be done away from places where social insects gather; We also advise you to carefully check your clothing. Explain to young children that it is strictly forbidden to pick up insects, much less in the mouth, since even the “kindest” beetle will always have means of defense - spines, “jaws,” an unpleasant odor, caustic substances, etc.

Despite large-scale preventive measures, there is a threat of infection with serious diseases, the carriers of which can be forest insects. Here we should mention first of all flies. They carry pathogens (causative agents of dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria) on their tongues and proboscis. These insects pose a particular danger near forest waste dumps. People “owe” such serious diseases as tick-borne encephalitis and piroplasmosis to ticks. No less dangerous are fleas (they carry plague and tularemia) and blood-sucking mosquitoes, which not only cause pain with their bites, but also carry a number of pathogens. Perhaps the simplest and most accessible method of protection against bites of these animals is a thorough examination of open areas of the body immediately after each visit to the forest, as well as the use of a wide arsenal of modern insect repellents. And of course - preventive vaccinations, thanks to which the frequency and severity of diseases has significantly decreased.

Small and medium-sized predatory mammals belonging to the mustelid family (badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten, black polecat, European mink, otter) are harmless only at first glance. Remember that mustelids, although relatively small in size, are still the most real and very energetic predators, capable of active and aggressive defense; When protecting young animals, they are able to bite seriously. There are known cases when a badger, disturbed in its hole, severely bit hunting dogs and the hunters themselves, which the first one would never do in a chance meeting with a person. Some animals (for example, weasel, polecat, ermine) are not without curiosity and willingly visit populated areas, and in the forest they can approach tourist sites, especially at night.

It’s worth reminding once again about such an “iron” rule of behavior in the forest, such as the prohibition of destroying animal shelters - holes, nests, etc. A person who violates this rule not only behaves unworthily in relation to our smaller brothers, but also puts his own health and life in serious danger, since in the face of the loss of his own home or the death of his offspring, the most peace-loving creature “becomes wild.”

In conditions of limited visibility, especially at night, any animal, even a harmless one, can greatly frighten, especially a child, with a loud cry, a sudden sharp movement, or simply by its appearance (for example, non-venomous snakes). People sometimes had heart attacks from fright when not only such a large bird as a capercaillie, but even a hazel grouse suddenly took off right from under their feet. The sharp and noisy take-off of birds is nothing more than active defense, designed to momentarily put the predator into a state of shock. In the forest, with relative isolation, fear is much more difficult to bear and sometimes leads to severe stress and psychological trauma. Here you always need to be internally prepared for fear, for the fact that you can hear or see something “scary”.

Study the habits of wild animals, then the fear of them will recede, and the forest inhabitants will graciously accept you into their “company”.

Those who love to travel and spend time actively in the wild, especially in the forest, must know that the forest is, first of all, a complex set of relationships that have developed over thousands of years between plants, animals, soil, sunlight and darkness of night, air and water. And man has always been a guest in the forest. With the advent of civilization, I moved further and further away from the forest. Especially now, this difference is very noticeable. Many modern residents of megacities, apart from nightclubs, expensive handbags, strawberry margaritas and pink smoothies, do not know real life, some (even I have such distant acquaintances) have never been to the forest at all in their lives. And of course, they do not know how to behave in difficult situations, finding themselves, for example, in the forest and encountering dangerous animals or insects. It can be assumed that such situations are very rare, but this does not make it any easier for those who find themselves in them.

From a personal point of view - when traveling to one of the tropical countries, none of the excursion participants expected any emergency situations, the route was “well-worn”, although the jungle was impassable in places, there were trails on all sides within a few kilometers, it seemed impossible to get lost there, No matter where you go, you will reach the road in an hour. But nevertheless, one couple of “urban fashionistas” turned off the main path for a moment and strayed from the excursion group. We searched for them for about two hours... When I saw them after returning, I realized how unprepared people were for such a turn of events. During these two hours they managed to meet a snake, it’s good that they noticed it in time, they were bitten by mosquitoes and stumbled upon a hive of wild bees or wasps, and escaped with only a couple of bites. But wild bees and wasps guarding their hive can attack people and animals, even if there is no allergy to their bites; several dozen bites can cause shock and even death.
Man is a guest in the forest, and from the point of view of forest and wild animals, he is an uninvited and uninvited guest, often completely unaware of the rules of behavior. This is where accidents, emergencies, injuries, and fears arise. Also legends and
myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest conceals.

Any wild animals living in the forest can pose a danger to humans. The types of dangerous animals are very diverse and their behavior is different when meeting a person, but several general patterns can be noted:

Wild animals, especially birds and mammals, are much better adapted to life in the forest than humans. They have more advanced sensory organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell is a strong danger signal for a wild animal.

The popular opinion about the timidity of animals, especially large predators, should not be exaggerated too much. For some of them, such as bears and tigers, a very common behavior trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression. In most cases, they want to avoid “communication” with a person and, having sensed and heard you, they move away, but this does not mean that they are afraid of you. It is wild animals that are in the forest on their territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a violation of the border with all the ensuing consequences. Yes, a predator can leave when it hears you, but only if it is not hungry and does not protect its territory and young animals. But the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract an extremely dangerous predator, the connecting rod bear.

In the animal world, unlike human society, the concepts of “alien,” “unknown,” and “dangerous” often coincide, so you should not count on a friendly attitude from forest inhabitants.

Wild animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from humans, sedentary animals use various methods of passive or active protection and camouflage. Forest animals
good masters of camouflage, they know how to use all kinds of shelters.

The behavior of many wild animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly during certain periods of their life cycle (reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger for
person increases sharply. For example, during the breeding season, a shy elk becomes not so shy, but aggressive, and it is better not to stand in its way.

Any, even widespread species of wild animals prefer certain habitats, and here the likelihood of a chance encounter with dangerous animals of this species is higher. In order not to become a victim of a deadly animal, and even an ordinary fox that bites you can become such a victim (foxes can carry rabies), you need to remember two rules. It is necessary to have an understanding of the habits of animals and birds, as well as to be attentive and careful when moving through the forest.

Emergencies in the forest associated with dangerous animals can be divided into two groups: active attack - when a dangerous animal, without obvious reason for a person, begins to actively attack and accidents that occur as a result of careless or illiterate handling of an animal, which in a normal situation treats the person quite neutrally.

Dangerous animals of Russia and neighboring countries

In the main settlement zone of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, situations of the first type (active attack by an animal) are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals, bear, wolf, elk, wild boar, deer, and cats. Unprovoked attacks are quite rare. According to statistics, for example, a tiger attacks people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually the animal attacks: for the purpose of self-defense, during a hunt, when caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals are especially aggressive during this period), protecting offspring, when persistently pursuing a wounded animal or simply during a chance meeting with a person, during sudden close contact.

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most sudden encounters with this animal end in its rapid flight. However, cases
unprovoked attacks on humans in the European part of Russia are observed almost every year. Suddenly, mushroom and berry pickers and tourists, as a rule, “look out for the bear.” Sometimes the bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away.

However, much more serious incidents are also known, when the beast literally besieged a hunting lodge for several days, not letting people out. There are often cases of aggression from a bear disturbed in its winter den. However, this can be easily avoided by knowing the favorite bear spots in a given forest and staying away from them.

A meeting with a wolf poses a serious danger for an unprepared person, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than to attack. In recent years, experts have noted that people encounter wolves in the forest zone more often than
earlier. Fans of forest walks, and especially long routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden meeting with a wolf or fox that has rabies. Here an attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, and immediate, literally on the spot, attack. The beast sometimes seems to sputter with saliva; There is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. Under no circumstances should you approach them, they may bite, and then you will have to undergo long-term treatment.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going into the forest it would be useful to obtain information from the SES about outbreaks of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

Wild ungulates common to European forests, elk, wild boar, deer, roe deer, are much more timid and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, move away from humans. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger.

How to avoid encounters with wild dangerous animals?

The best way to avoid encounters with dangerous animals is to avoid visiting their habitats. This does not mean that you should be afraid of the wolf and not go into the forest. By choosing a travel destination in advance, you can learn about dangerous places densely populated by predators and avoid going there. If you do go on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, trampled grass and undergrowth, stripped bark on trees, droppings from feeding areas, and sometimes remains of prey.
Wolves, being the first to sense a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, loud barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially the young.
During the rut or feeding, wild boars behave so noisily that it is quite easy to notice and hear them.
You should avoid animal trails, difficult to pass, overgrown with bushes and littered forest areas, and windbreaks. In such places there is a high probability of encountering an animal, and it is also extremely inconvenient to retreat here. Going to the forest
Be sure to tell us where you are going to go and when you expect to return, because in addition to predators, you can simply get lost in the forest.

What to do if you encounter a dangerous animal in the forest?

First of all - don't panic! The animal senses when a person is afraid of it, your fear will only spur aggression, that is, the animal’s instinct to attack a weaker enemy may be triggered. No sudden movements or shrill screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare, and not attract, the animal in this way. However, sometimes the scream actually frightens the animal and even causes it to flee. But this is an extreme case and it is very unlikely that this will work with a bear.