Bears, Moose, Wolves, Oh My! Wildlife Safety

Be safe out there people! ;)

Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Living With Wildlife

Living with wildlife is about coexisting with the animals commonly found in places where humans and wildlife cross paths. Whether you are living in Alaska or just visiting, it is important to understand safety principals for individual species and how to avoid conflicts. To learn more, click on the species links below.
• bears
• moose
• wolves
• birds
• beavers

Bear Safety
• Avoid surprising bears at close distance; look for signs of bears and make plenty of noise.
• Avoid crowding bears; respect their “personal space.”
• Avoid attracting bears through improper handling of food or garbage.
• Plan ahead, stay calm, identify yourself, don't run.
• If Attacked; If a bear actually makes contact, you have two choices: play dead or fight back.

In most cases, bears are not a threat, but they do deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear country, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

For additional information, see Safety in Bear Country, The Bears and You, and Living in Harmony with Bears.
The text of this document was excerpted and adapted from a brochure, Bear Facts, produced by ADF&G in cooperation with other state and federal agencies, and is not protected by copyrights belonging to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Bear Facts from Alaska Department of Fish and Game


Moose Safety
Each year in Alaska more people are injured by moose than by bears. Cow moose protecting calves are particularly aggressive. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides some helpful information about moose and how people can be safe when moose are nearby.

The key to coexisting with moose is to avoid confrontations by giving moose plenty of space. Never approach a moose!

Do you know what to do when a moose charges? Fortunately most moose charges are bluffs – warnings for you to get back. But if a moose does charge, don’t wait to find out if it’s bluffing. Run or walk quickly and get behind something solid, like a tree, or retreat to a safe place, like inside a building or car. Normally, moose will flee when they feel threatened but under certain circumstances, they can become aggressive. Understanding a moose’s body language, and the things that moose do when they are stressed, can help you stay safe.
by www.getoutdoorsalaska.org