Make Yourself Appear Larger
If you feel an aggressive wild animal will attack you, one thing you can do is try to make yourself appear more prominent. This will hopefully scare the animal away. You can do this by standing tall and spreading your arms or clothing. If you have a backpack or other item with you, hold it up high, so the animal sees it as a threat. Screaming or making loud noises can also help to scare the animal away. Remember, you should only take these actions if the animal is charging towards you and you have no other options to get away safely. Otherwise, you could put yourself in even more danger.
Never Take Your Eyes Off The Animal
Something you should always remember is to never take your eyes off the animal. This will give the animal a sense of dominance and could incite an attack. If you must look away, do so quickly and return your gaze as soon as possible. Maintaining eye contact shows the animal that you are not afraid and are in control. This also allows you to see the animal’s body language for warning signs of an impending attack.
If The Animal Does Attack
In the unlikely event that the animal does attack you, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself. First, make sure to protect your head and neck as well as cover your throat and vital organs. This will help to minimize the injuries you sustain in an attack. If the animal starts biting you, try to fight back and push it away with all your strength. Do not pull away as this will only cause further injury. Another thing you can do is to try and gouge the animal’s eyes or hit it in the nose, as these are both weak spots. Remember, your goal is to survive the attack, so do whatever you can to inflict damage on the animal.
Conclusion
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for what to do when encountering an aggressive wild animal. However, following these tips will give you the best chance of staying safe. Remember to stay calm and use your head; if you panic, you’re more likely to make a mistake that could cost you your life. By being proactive and prepared, you can hopefully avoid any dangerous encounters with wildlife.
