What to do if you meet a wolf

How to Avoid a Wolf

Encountering a wolf is one of the scariest scenarios that can unfold in the forest. The height of the predator ranges from 66–86 centimeters, the body length is 105–160 centimeters – it is almost impossible to fight it. He also has 42 teeth, strong legs and instincts that help detect the fear of a potential victim. Fortunately, humans are not the most common prey for wolves. This does not mean that they ignore people, but they do not attack at every meeting. But it is better to reduce the likelihood of a collision.

• Do not go where wolves have been seen. Even after the information about predators appears, many people still go to their territory and believe that they will be lucky.
• Assess the situation and stay vigilant. Wolf tracks (they look like dog tracks) are the reason to change the route and go home.
• Keep children, the sick and the elderly at the center of the group. Wolves always attack the weakest, so they need to be covered by those whom the animals consider more dangerous. A large group of people in which there is no obvious candidate for the role of prey can be bypassed by a predator.
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• At a halt, make a fire. Fire and smoke will scare away an animal if it roams near you.
• Clean up after your dog excrement. If you take your pet for a walk, clean up after it. Otherwise, you can attract the attention of the wolf.

What to do if you meet a wolf

If it didn’t work out to avoid a meeting, you will have to overcome fear and prepare for a fight. Fortunately, it is not guaranteed - sometimes you can wait.

1. Take it easy. A rash decision can cost a life, so it is necessary to maintain composure even with very serious fear.
2. Don't turn your back on the wolf. If you decide to run away, then nothing will come of it - wolves can reach speeds of up to 60 km / h. It takes them 4 meters to accelerate, so the pursuit will be short. If it is possible to retreat (for example, to the nearest tree), you need to step back.
3. Don't make sudden movements. Any sharp gesture can be taken by the wolf as an invitation to fight.
4. Don't look the wolf in the eye. You will have to follow the actions of the beast with the help of peripheral vision - direct eye contact will be perceived as aggression.
5. Assess the actions of the wolf and the environment. If a predator decides to attack, you must have a plan. In order to defend yourself, it is better to have something behind your back - for example, a tree will become an ally and support. But it's better to jump on it. If there is a body of water nearby, then you can go into the water up to your waist - the predator will not follow you.
6. Take out the weapon. If you do not have self-defense equipment with you, then look for a stone or at least a branch under your feet. Even if they are not suitable as weapons, they can be used to intimidate. If you still had to fight, then hit in the nose - this is the weak point of the predator.
7. Scare off the wolf. If the wolf began to approach, and there is nowhere to retreat, you can try to scare the enemy. Shouts can make a predator doubt the advisability of an attack. Swing your arms and jump around to make you look like a bigger and more dangerous enemy.
8. Throw him food. If you're lucky, the wolf will be distracted.

What to do after the meeting

• Leave if you managed to avoid the fight. There is no need to run - the wolf can watch a potential victim and wait for the perfect moment to attack.
• Prepare your weapons. Leaving the meeting place with the animal, do not relax and prepare for a new collision. It will be better if at least a cobblestone is in your hand by the beginning of it.
• Get vaccinated against rabiesif the wolf has bitten you. It is possible that the predator attacked precisely because of rabies.
• Tell people that you met wolves. This information can save the lives of those who are going to go to the forest.