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Why Do Animals Attack Humans in the Wild?
BBC ^ | 8/19 | Ally Hirschlag

Posted on 08/19/2024 1:14:26 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Following a spate of predator attacks on hikers and park rangers in the US, Ally Hirschlag investigates why animals attack humans in the wild.

Keri Bergere was on a Saturday afternoon bike ride with her friends on the heavily-forested Tokul Creek trail near Fall City, Washington, when two cougars ran out in front of them. One went off into the woods, but the other turned around and, within seconds, had pulled the 60-year-old woman off her bike. "We didn't have a chance to face off with them to scare them away or anything," her friend, Annie Bilotta, told the local news station.

The young cougar clamped down on Bergere's face and would not let go for 15 minutes. Her friends tried everything: they hit it repeatedly with sticks, brought a 25-pound (11.4kg) boulder down on its head and stabbed it with a small knife, all while Bergere kept poking it in the eyes and mouth. When the cougar finally released for a moment and Bergere could get away, her friends pushed a bike on top of it, holding it down until help arrived. Bergere survived but sustained significant, permanent nerve damage to her face.

In Haines Junction, Yukon, Vanessa Chaput was out for a run with her dog when she saw three grizzly bears. As a Kaska woman who grew up encountering apex predators, Chaput knew to give them a wide berth, she told APTN News. But when her dog got off-leash, one of the bears charged her and clamped its jaws onto her head. Luckily, she'd been wearing a claw clip that broke in the bear’s mouth, startling it enough to release her. Her dog's barking then distracted the bear long enough for her to run to the highway and call for help. She was left with puncture wounds

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: 9YearLurker

Because we like to eat them.


21 posted on 08/19/2024 1:57:01 PM PDT by riverrunner
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To: nickcarraway

Overpopulation and under-hunting to keep them in fear of humans are the actual reasons.

Since WA/OR/CA did away with dog assisted hunting of big cats, the population has exploded, driving the younger cats closer to human habitation. They have no fear of humans anymore.

Groups of humans accompanied by baying hounds tended to instill fear and avoidance of all humans in them.


22 posted on 08/19/2024 1:58:50 PM PDT by Valpal1 (Not even the police are safe from the police!!!)
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To: riverrunner

As apparently do they, us.


23 posted on 08/19/2024 2:04:16 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: nickcarraway

Lack of guns?


24 posted on 08/19/2024 2:12:48 PM PDT by Manic_Episode (A government of the government, by the government, for the government)
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To: nickcarraway

All women, jogging or biking in the wilderness. Then amazed when something sees them as prey.


25 posted on 08/19/2024 2:18:00 PM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: nickcarraway
...when two cougars ran out in front of them.

...when she saw three grizzly bears.


Cougars are solitary animals, a Mother and her cubs are not?

Grizzly bears are solitary animals, a Mother and her cubs are not?

There's your answer.


26 posted on 08/19/2024 2:19:56 PM PDT by Tommy Revolts (,,)
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To: Valpal1

I think it was on the series, “Mountain Men” some fellas with dog packs made a living chasing big cats for miles back into high country. Those are some brave hound dogs!


27 posted on 08/19/2024 2:24:14 PM PDT by blueplum ("...this moment is your moment: it belongs to you... " President Donald J. Trump, Jan 20, 2017) )
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To: 9YearLurker
To maintain better win/loss records than their pro sport namesakes.

Detroit and Detroit and Chicago

Oh, my.

28 posted on 08/19/2024 2:24:44 PM PDT by MikelTackNailer (Fortunately despite aging I've been spared the ravages of maturity.)
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To: nickcarraway

Even dogs will chase bikes. It is instinct.


29 posted on 08/19/2024 2:25:17 PM PDT by pas
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To: nickcarraway

30 posted on 08/19/2024 2:25:53 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: nickcarraway
Because we are soft and tasty?
31 posted on 08/19/2024 2:29:06 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear ( Not my circus. Not my monkeys. But I can pick out the clowns at 100 yards.)
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To: Pearls Before Swine

LOL — good ol’ Gary Larson


32 posted on 08/19/2024 2:29:43 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: nickcarraway
"it's either me or them..."
33 posted on 08/19/2024 2:29:48 PM PDT by shotgun
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To: nickcarraway

I guess Ally figured out that bears aren’t safer than men.


34 posted on 08/19/2024 2:32:40 PM PDT by fretzer
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To: MikelTackNailer

If this were a Dem site, we’d be talking about our spirit animals instead of sports mascots...


35 posted on 08/19/2024 2:33:56 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: pierrem15

Or protecting their young


36 posted on 08/19/2024 2:37:39 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Clay Bevis and Cuck Butthead are panty wadded, pearl clutching cowards. Rush deserves better.)
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To: Pearls Before Swine
I knew The Far Side would make an appearance on this thread.  Surprised it took until post 30.
37 posted on 08/19/2024 2:40:52 PM PDT by mellow velo
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To: nickcarraway

“Why Do Animals Attack Humans in the Wild?”

Because that’s what happens when the media bashes Trump and his supporters, NON-STOP.


38 posted on 08/19/2024 2:51:35 PM PDT by BobL
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To: nickcarraway

Easy food source. 🙄


39 posted on 08/19/2024 2:57:40 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: 9YearLurker

Some do some don’t


40 posted on 08/19/2024 3:00:00 PM PDT by riverrunner
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