There’s One Predator That Terrifies Bears And Mountain Lions Alike
Avoid at all costs.
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Research reveals that humans represent a formidable threat to some of North America’s most dangerous predators. Despite their fearsome reputations, black bears, brown bears, and mountain lions actively work to avoid encounters with people, according to two newly published scientific studies.
The frequency of attacks from these animals is remarkably low compared to other natural hazards. Brown bears attack approximately 11 humans annually in North America, while mountain lions account for just 4 to 6 incidents per year. These figures pale in comparison to the roughly 580 people struck by lightning annually across the United States and Canada. A study examining black and brown bears near salmon streams in Alaska found that bears were nearly 10 times more likely to flee when hearing human voices compared to natural sounds like gull calls.
Mountain lions demonstrate equally sophisticated avoidance strategies. Researchers tracking 36 tagged lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains discovered the animals anticipate human activity patterns and proactively avoid areas during peak recreation times, using GPS data from popular hiking apps to inform their movements. Notably, even in regions with significant human presence, attack rates remained consistent with encounter frequency rather than increasing as a threat response.
The research suggests that these predators perceive humans as a significant danger and modify their behavior accordingly. Scientists emphasize that humans share responsibility for maintaining safe coexistence by remaining aware of how their activities shape wildlife movements and making conscious decisions to minimize forced interactions with these animals.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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