A group of hikers inside Alaska’s Katmai National Park were quietly observing a passing grizzly bear when it decided to give them a little something to remember. The group had exited the trail to make way for the grizzly and all was calm until it stopped on a dime and gave them a halfhearted lunge:
“You’re minding your business on a trail… until a bear decides to remind you who’s boss. He gave us the side-eye, then hit us with the fake-out lunge. Just a little bear-style jump scare before continuing his hike. 10 out of 10 would not recommend being this close again.”
Katmai is world famous for its resident grizzly bear population which numbers around 2,200. Visitors to the park can reliably find them congregating on the Brooks River to gorge on summer salmon runs, making it one of the best spots for bear viewing on Earth. Given that encounter grizzlies at Katmai is essentially guaranteed, park officials highly recommend folks familiarize themselves with proper bear safety protocols before visiting the park. Learn more below:
Katmai National Park Guidelines To Bear Encounters:
Your response during a bear encounter should depend on the bear’s behavior. Curious bears have different motivations than defensive bears. You can find more information on the motivations of a curious bear versus a defensive bear on bearsmart.com and in thebear safety information for Yellowstone National Park. The information below has been gleaned from many sources including books, resource experts, and videos.
Assess the Bear’s Behavior
Bear encounters often happen very quickly, but the bear will likely be showing cues that communicate its intentions. When you encounter a bear always stop, remain calm, and assess the situation.
- Be Careful Not to Startle It: Shouting at a brown bear that is not aware of you may incite a charge. If the bear does not know you are there, back away quietly watching for any changes in its behavior.
- Look and Listen for Signs of Stress: Vocalizations like woofing, huffing, and jaw popping are almost always indications of stress. If you hear a bear vocalizing then the bear is most likely warning you. The position of a bear’s ears also communicates information. Ears that are pointed forward usually indicate a sense of curiosity or dominance. Ears that are flattened back on a bear’s head is indicative of stress and/or defensiveness.
Remain Calm and Do Not Run
A bear may approach closely or stand on its hind legs to identify you. Identify yourself as a human by talking to the bear calmly and waving your arms slowly above your head. Back away slowly if you can. If you are traveling in a group, use the group’s size to your advantage and stay close to one another. Don’t Run! Running may encourage a bear to chase you. Bears can run faster than 30 miles per hour (50 km/hr). You cannot outrun them.
If You are Charged
A defensive bear may approach you or even charge. If a bear charges, it perceives you as threat. Most charges are bluffs, but you must take action to try to appear non-threatening by standing your ground and talking calmly to the bear. Don’t shout or throw anything. Once the bear has stopped its charge, try to move slowly away. If the bear charges again as you are moving away, stop moving and stand your ground again.
Use your bear spray if you think the bear will attack. Even though most charges are bluffs, there is no cue from the bear indicating that the charge is a bluff.
If a Defensive Bear Attacks
Play dead. Fall to the ground face down on your stomach with your legs apart. Lock your hands behind your neck to protect your neck and face. If you do get rolled over, keep rolling until you’re face down again. Don’t shout or cry out. Stay quietly in this position until the bear has left the area. Once a defensive bear no longer perceives you as a threat, it will stop attacking. If the attack continues long after you have assumed the protective position, fight back vigorously.
If a Non-Defensive Bear Approaches
A non-defensive bear may approach you for are a variety of reasons — it may be conditioned to human food, curious, or want to test its dominance. Non-defensive bears usually don’t show any signs of stress, so you should act assertively. You are trying to dissuade the bear from approaching. As with a defensive bear, stay calm and speak to the bear. Try moving out of its way. If the bear continues to approach, you then want to assert your dominance over the animal — shout, make yourself look large and threatening, throw a rock towards the bear, and prepare to use your bear spray.
If a Non-Defensive Bear Attacks
In North America, brown bear attacks are very rare and non-defensive attacks by brown bears are even more rare. Brown bear attacks are almost always defensive, but if it is not then fight back. Non-defensive bears may consider you prey.
In All Cases
The best defense is knowledge, preparation, and prevention. Arm yourself with a knowledge of bear biology, ecology, and behavior. Prepare yourself mentally for bear encounters before you visit Katmai, and take action when you are visiting Katmai to prevent bear encounters. When you visit Katmai, you have a responsibility to protect the experience, everyone’s safety, and Katmai’s bears.
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