How to be ready to protect yourself if you see a bear in Georgia

Are the people okay?

Recently, a group of residents of an apartment complex in Asheville, North Carolina were seen pulling two bear cubs from a tree, thinking they were saving them from harm.

Colloquially, we are expected to understand the volatility of a “mama bear” and the inherent danger of disturbing her babies. But these people promptly forgot everything they were ever warned about when they thought they could get a good selfie with the babies.

Click to resize

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission issued a warning on April 18. “Even if you don’t see the mother bear, she may be nearby and the cubs are waiting for her return.”

Colleen Olfenbuttel, a leading bear and hunting mammal expert and study leader, further warned: “By attempting to capture a bear cub, you could leave it orphaned, injured, or both, as we saw in this incident. ”

While most people don’t actively remove bear cubs from a tree or from their natural habitat (or rather shouldn’t), it does beg the question, “What should I do if I see a bear?”

According to the National Park Service, you should definitely try to never see a bear.

However, if an encounter is unavoidable, there are some precautions you should take:

Practice polite viewing etiquette

• Act like you are a visitor in their home… because you are.

• Respect their space – use binoculars to keep a safe distance.

• Keep your distance – the standard is at least 100 meters. If a bear suddenly changes its behavior, it is a signal that you are too close.

• Leave “orphaned” or sick bears alone – unlike the onlookers above, assume there is a mother or other animal nearby.

• Don’t bring pets to view bears.

Tips for if you encounter a bear in the wild

• Speak softly and calmly so he knows you are a human and not a prey animal.

• Pick up small children immediately and keep their voices low.

• Make yourself as tall as possible and wave your arms in the air.

• DON’T RUN – you don’t want to be identified as prey. Move away in a sideways motion.

• Keep your backpack on: it can provide protection against a physical attack.

• As a precaution, buy bear pepper spray.

How do brown/grizzly bear attacks differ from black bear attacks?

• Brown/Grizzly Bear: Keep your backpack on and PLAY DEAD. Assume a face-down position, with your hands behind your back. Spread your legs so that it is more difficult for the animal to turn your body and remain still. You should not fight back as this can sometimes increase the intensity. But if the attack continues, you have to do what you have to do to escape.

• Black Bear: Unlike the brown bear strategy, you should absolutely NEVER PLAY DEAD. Concentrate on blows to the face and muzzle, as these can disorient you long enough for you to escape.

The black bear population, once endangered, has recovered in Georgia and has now reached an estimated 5,100 bears statewide. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources offers a fact sheet with smart tips on how to handle the animal.

Residents of the more populated cities are likely safe from a bear infestation, but northern parts of the Georgia Mountains and southeastern parts of the state are home to healthy numbers of black bears.