Bear spray?
Guns?
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Cougars
Cougar (mountain lion, puma, panther, catamount)
Attacks usually unprovoked- predatory
Largest numbers in Colorado, California, Vancouver Island
Increasing incidence
Young cougars with unsatisfactory territory (human encroachment)
Consume their kill
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Cougars
Do:
Look larger, threatening
FIGHT BACK!
Make noise
Don't:
Run
Make eye contact? Controversial
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Coyote, wolf
Attacks probably predatory
Treat like dog attacks
Similar oral flora- consider rabies
Identical injuries
Do: FIGHT BACK!
Don't: Appear docile, try to pet, leave children unattended
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Bison
Bison (American buffalo)
Attacks usually provoked
Penetrating injuries (Gorings)
Blunt injuries (stompiig, tossing, butting with head)
Gorings nearly always in buttocks, posterior thigh, back
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Moose, elk, deer
Attacks nearly always provoked
Goring
Trampling, butting
Biting
Mechanism of and prevention of attacks: Moose, elk, deer
Do:
Climb tree, if possible
Shield with tree
Don't:
Invade their space!
Approach in rut or with calves
Summary
Appreciate frequency of different types of animal attacks
Recognize presence of other underlying injuries
Evaluate and treat appropriately (use antibiotics judiciously)
Practice and teach safe wilderness travel
Parting thoughts
Human development in animal territory
Tolerant co-existence
Wilderness Medical Society:
www.wms.org
