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Editorial: Information the surest safeguard on wildlife trek

Sat., Aug. 7, 2010

Ironically, more Americans encounter wildlife in an animated DVD than they ever do on vacation.

This summer, inspired by a weak economy and a blockbuster PBS series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” travelers are streaming into Yellowstone and other wilderness areas in the West. Many respond as if they’ve just landed in Disneyland, where the bears sing and the mice wear white gloves. They jam the highways, pull out cameras and wander into a herd of buffalo or amble up close to a moose. They’ll even pop a tuna fish sandwich in their backpack for a hike through bear country, oblivious to the power of a black bear’s nose.

A tragic grizzly bear attack near Yellowstone Park recently grabbed the country’s attention. Newspaper headlines punctured the tourists’ reality. Though extremely rare, encounters between humans and wild animals can go terribly awry. While wildlife biologists are still unsure what provoked the bear’s attacks, this reminder gives vacationing Americans a chance to improve their approach to wildlife.

In the Northwest, we’re more likely to run into black bears than grizzlies. Either can attack humans, yet they rarely do. Washington state has an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 black bears along with about 20 grizzlies, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Selkirk range of North Idaho is believed to contain 30 or 35 grizzlies.

Vacationers need to remember the No. 1 rule for visiting bear country: Don’t feed the bears, either inadvertently or on purpose. Keep your own food in bear-safe containers. Avoid leaving food out for deer or birds; both can attract bears.

When hiking in bear country, you’re much safer carrying bear spray than a gun. Research shows bears wounded by bullets are much more likely to injure humans than those slowed by this special form of pepper spray.

Call out to bears as you hike, but don’t bother with bear bells. Hike in groups, never alone. Bears virtually always avoid groups of three or four hikers.

Keep a close eye on small children and pets while hiking. Cougar attacks, though also rare, have been more common in recent years.

Don’t be fooled by a large animal’s lumbering gait. A moose can quickly charge and bison can stampede.

This summer, two of the traditional foods for bears, whitebark pine nuts and huckleberries, have been sparse. Wildlife experts predict bears will move to lower elevations and spread out as a result.

Drive slowly and watch carefully. You’re far more likely to kill or injure wild animals than they are to harm you.

But don’t let the headlines keep you from viewing wildlife. You have far more to gain by visiting America’s stunning national and state parks than you have to fear.

The National Safety Council estimates your odds of dying in a car accident at one in 85. In contrast, Yellowstone officials calculate your risk of being injured by a bear in the park at one in 1.9 million.

So plan that trip and learn more about the wildlife you’ll encounter. Just make sure it’s you who’s smarter than the average bear.