Us & Them, part I

Recently I was talking with a friend when he happened to mention that his daughter is afraid of dogs. We had a good conversation about it, which sparked further conversation with my husband on the same topic, which in turn has sparked this entry.

Fear of animals, domestic or otherwise, is a sad thing. Certainly animals can be dangerous, and many people have had bad experiences with them. However, at the conclusion of our conversation, my husband and I were both convinced that a few preventative measures can both help people have positive experiences with animals, and make them more confident.

Any time we are out in nature, we have an increased likelihood of coming in contact with animals. Many people like to take their dogs or horses out on trails, and many wild animals inhabit the areas that we like to escape to. A little "animal 101" can help kids and adults prepare for the inevitable.

Different rules apply to domestic and wild animals. Wild animals should not be approached, whether it's cute little Bambi or a baby bird that seems to have fallen out of its nest. Human interference will often put a wild animal's life at risk. Wild animals that are too comfortable around humans must sometimes be destroyed because their confidence makes them dangerous.

In the same breath, humans are also at risk when approaching wild animals, particularly babies. Often their parents are nearby, and they will go to great lengths to protect their young. Additionally, injured or sick animals can be even more dangerous and unpredictable than healthy ones. If you see a wild animal that you believe needs help, do yourself and it a favor, and contact a trained professional to deal with the situation. However, some interactions cannot be avoided, and this is when a little body language knowledge can go a long way.

Say you're out hiking and you meet a bear. Know that direct eye contact is almost always seen as a challenge to animals, and I can guarantee that you do not want to duke things out. Humans are remarkably resourceful, but your lack of hide, fang, and claw will leave you at a serious disadvantage. I promise.

So you don't want to challenge animals, but you also don't want to become a target, right? Continue to stand at your full stature, and if you are in a group, stand very close together. This will make you seem large enough that the animal in question will think twice.

Finally, your biggest problem is often that you have put yourself in the animal's territory. They use trails too! So, while avoiding eye contact and standing tall, it is usually advisable to back very slowly away, preferably off of the trail if possible. Note that it is important not to turn your back, and not to run. You cannot outrun a wild animal that is attacking you, and turning your back and/or running will often trigger aggressive instincts (particularly prey instincts) that the animal may not have otherwise acted upon.

If an animal does attack, usually your best response is to drop into a fetal position with your hands clasped behind your neck to protect it. No matter what the animal does, PLAY DEAD! This will not ever be instinctive, but it has saved more than one person's life.

But now for the good news: wild animals very rarely want to be around humans, and almost never view them as prey. They will do what they can to avoid you, so if you know that you're hiking in bear country, make a little noise. Talk with partners, sing, or whistle if you're alone. If you're rounding a blind corner, make sure to do it slowly and to make noise. Pay attention to wind direction: if you are downwind, animals won't smell you coming. Education and awareness can do so much to guarantee a positive experience.

Finally, educate yourself about the kind of wildlife you are likely to meet on your hikes. Find out what steps you can take to share the land with them safely. Next post: interacting with the domesticated ones!