Introduction
Dangerous wildlife, such as mountain lions, moose, elk, and bears, may be encountered by workers performing tasks outdoors or in rural areas. It is essential for all workers to be familiar with safety protocols to follow in the event of a wildlife sighting or attack.
All workers should remain vigilant for dangerous wildlife. Avoid working alone in outdoor or rural areas whenever possible. Before starting work, take the time to research the area and identify any wildlife that may inhabit the region.
General Precautions for Dangerous Wildlife
When performing work outdoors or in rural areas, keep these general precautions in mind:
- Perform work during the middle of the day; avoid working at dusk or dawn
- Look for signs of animals and proceed with caution
- Do not leave food or drinks around the worksite
- And, make noises and talk loudly to make your presence known
Note: If you spot dangerous wildlife, avoid the area and call a supervisor.
Mountain Lions
If a mountain lion is spotted, avoid the area where it was last seen. Continue watching your surroundings to see if the mountain lion is stalking. If a mountain lion is spotted:
- Give them a way to escape; mountain lions try to avoid confrontation
- Do not run; remain calm, stand your ground, and back away slowly
- Face the animal, maintain eye contact, and do not turn your back
- Appear larger than the mountain lion; stand upright, raise your arms, etc.
- And, do not bend or crouch down
If a mountain lion becomes aggressive:
- Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice
- Throw objects
- Remain standing and protect your head and neck
- And, if the mountain lion attacks, fight back!
Moose
Moose are rarely aggressive, but can become angered if they feel threatened. If a moose is spotted, avoid its path, and do not interact with it. Some signs that may indicate aggressive behavior, include:
- Long hairs on its hump are raised
- Ears laid back
- And, lip licking
Note: A moose that is slowly walking towards you may also indicate aggressive behavior.
If aggressive signs are noticed, look for something to put in between you and the animal to obstruct its path.
A moose charge is called a “bluff,” this is a warning to stay back and keep your distance. When a moose charges, they kick forward with their front hooves. If this occurs, it is best to run; moose will not chase someone far. If a moose becomes aggressive and begins to attack:
- Get behind something solid
- If the moose knock you over, curl into a ball; the moose will either continue running or start stomping and kicking, in this case protect your head with your hands and hold still
- And, do not move or attempt to get up until the moose moves a safe distance away or it may continue attacking
Elk
Elk are common in wooded areas and are rarely aggressive. If an elk is spotted, keep a distance of 100 yards. If the animal appears aggressive:
- Act dominant
- Raise your arms or flap a jacket to appear large
- Maintain eye contact and move away
- Seek protection behind a tree or vehicle, if possible
- And, if the elk knocks you down, get up and move away; do not play dead!
Calving season (May-June) is a common time for female elk aggression as they are defending their young. Fall mating season (August-September) is a common time for male elk aggression.
Bears
If a bear is spotted, avoid interaction, and keep a distance. Make noises, most bears avoid people when they hear them approaching. Pay attention to the surroundings and try to be noticeable. If a bear has noticed you:
- Identify yourself and stay calm
- Make yourself look as large as possible
- If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways
- Do not run: if the bear follows you, stop, and hold your ground
- Do not climb trees: some bears can climb
- Leave the area, if possible, and wait for the bear to move
- And, be cautious around female bears with their cubs
Different precautions are needed for bear attacks depending on the type of bear. As a simple guideline, remember: if it’s a brown bear, lay down; if it’s a black bear, fight back!
If a brown/grizzly bear attacks:
- PLAY DEAD! Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck and spread your legs apart to make it harder for the bear to flip you over
- Remain still until the bear leaves the area
- And, do not fight back. This can increase intensity of attacks, however, if the attack continues, fight back vigorously
If a black bear attacks:
- DO NOT PLAY DEAD! Try to escape to a secure place
- If you cannot escape, fight back by using objects nearby
- Kick and punch the bears face and muzzle
- And, use bear pepper spray, if available
Conclusion
While attacks from dangerous wildlife are rare, they can still happen. Workers in outdoor, rural, or wildlife-heavy areas must be prepared. It’s essential for all workers at risk of encountering such animals to understand how to prevent interactions and know the proper actions to take in the event of an attack.
For additional information on wildlife, visit the National Park Service website.