rather to take off because you present an unknown. And in the wilderness,
an unknown is usually a threat. You should be more scared when an ani
mal’s curiosity overrides its fear of you.
So why is it, then, that we hear stories of maneating lions or polar
bears stalking Inuit across the tundra? Because in addition to being preda
tors of other animals, true predators are also opportunistic eaters. If some
thing comes into their world that is soft, smelly, and fleshy (like you and
me), these creatures may recognize us as a potential meal.
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself in true predator country:
Avoid detection: Humans tend to be loud, bumbling creatures in the wild. If
you’re in true predator terrain, move as stealthily as possible. To avoid giving
the predator an opportunity, try not to attract any attention to yourself.
Make as much noise as possible: (You’re going to hate me for this
contradiction!) Noise can scare animals away. This alternative is likely better
attempted when you’re with a group of people, as there’s safety in numbers.
(These completely opposite methods indicate just how difficult it is to predict
what an animal will do, or how you should behave, during an encounter.)
Create obstacles: When you’re stationary for any length of time, try to use
natural materials to create a buffer between you and the animal. This is
particularly important for your shelter. In Africa, I built a corral from acacia
thorns around my shelter. It wouldn’t have stopped a lion that was intent on
getting me, but it would have deterred one long enough to buy me time to
plan my escape.
Plan an escape route: Even with protection, sometimes the best route to safety
is an escape route. In Africa, even with a fence of thorn bushes for protection,
I made sure my shelter was built against a tree in case the pride of lions
wandering the area decided to pay a visit. I hung a rope from the tree into my
shelter so that I had the option of climbing the tree to get out of range.African lions, polar bears, tigers, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles—
they’re all big and can kill us with little effort. It may seem that you have
little chance against a 500 to 2,000pound (227 to 907kg) animal, but
remember that perhaps more than any other wild creatures, true preda
tors ( just like accidental predators) cannot afford to get injured. Unlike
benign creatures such as rabbits (which can sustain an injury but continue
Dangers and Hazards (^) | 257