By Rhiana Schwartzott, contributing writer
Seeing animals in their natural habitat can be exciting, but the animals aren’t always as excited to see us. When wildlife approaches an area you are in, it is important to keep them at a distance and observe from afar. A lone black bear cub wandering around your cabin may appear to be cute and harmless, but there are many factors to take in. Is the mother around? Is it wandering towards you? Why is the cub by itself? How close are you? Remember that you are a visitor to their home.
When entering an area with a mother black bear, she can be extremely aggressive if another animal or human poses a threat to her offspring. In bear country, the rule of thumb is to make a little noise so as not to startle the bears. When encountering a bear, each situation can be different, so it’s important to react correctly. Sonya, a SUNY-ESF junior, worked in bear country and had a few encounters with bears. She was out hiking and saw warning signs for bears, such as fur and scat. Her group started being vocal to make their presence known. Without warning, two black bear cubs ran across the trail followed by the protective mother. “We stood still as the mother charged us, and she stopped 5 feet from us. As she lost interest, we waited at least a half hour for her to leave the area.” Sonya and her group walked away unscathed, but they had to react quickly and let the bear leave on its own accord. When explaining her story, Sonya emphasized the importance of “mountain etiquette”: don’t provoke, follow the animal’s terms, and let them take it time to pass you by.
When entering an area with a mother black bear, she can be extremely aggressive if another animal or human poses a threat to her offspring. In bear country, the rule of thumb is to make a little noise so as not to startle the bears. When encountering a bear, each situation can be different, so it’s important to react correctly. Sonya, a SUNY-ESF junior, worked in bear country and had a few encounters with bears. She was out hiking and saw warning signs for bears, such as fur and scat. Her group started being vocal to make their presence known. Without warning, two black bear cubs ran across the trail followed by the protective mother. “We stood still as the mother charged us, and she stopped 5 feet from us. As she lost interest, we waited at least a half hour for her to leave the area.” Sonya and her group walked away unscathed, but they had to react quickly and let the bear leave on its own accord. When explaining her story, Sonya emphasized the importance of “mountain etiquette”: don’t provoke, follow the animal’s terms, and let them take it time to pass you by.
Predatory animals are not the only animals that we have to look out for when we are in the wilderness. Deer may be cute, furry, and doe-eyed but they also pack a powerful kick. Does and bucks can become aggressive, depending on the circumstances. A doe will become aggressive if she has fawns nearby, and bucks can charge at an individual during breeding season if they appear to be a threat. Other animals, such as raccoons, foxes and skunks, which may be interested in your dinner, should also be observed at a distance. Wild animals are unpredictable, no matter how cute they may be. Currently, a major problem occurring between humans and animals is the habituation of these wild animals. This occurs when animals become accustomed to being near or receiving food from humans. People should be concerned about the animal’s safety as well as their own. While people enjoy feeding and interacting with these furry animals, they need to remember these animals are wild, not pets. Deer and bears can become dependent on resources, such as food that people are giving them. Suddenly, that black bear cub is twice the size you saw it last and looking for food. The bear is not so cute and cuddly now, and the situation can turn deadly for the human or the bear. So when you’re out in the woods or see an animal enter your backyard, remember to stay back. We can enjoy nature and witness these animals, but we have to give them their personal space too.
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