Washington State is one of the best places to escape it all and return to nature. Head to the lakes and mountains to relax and live carefree for a little while. Anyone who has gone camping knows that it’s not totally without stress, but here’s one that barely pops on your radar… BEAR ATTACKS!

Maybe it’s because of the film Cocaine Bear, but animal attacks are on many people’s minds. Now for the record, Bear attacks in Washington State are rare. Rare, meaning THEY HAVE HAPPENED! The most notable account came from a 1974 report on a black bear attack that ended fatally for the human. No, that bear was not on cocaine.

According to Google, since 1970, Washington state authorities have only recorded 19 other human-black bear encounters that resulted in a type of injury. A report in October of last year mentioned how a lady in Washington fended off a black bear by punching the bear in the nose.

The National Park Service shared some comical tips about dealing with a bear on social media. “If you come across a bear, never push a slower friend down… even if you feel the friendship has run its course.”

They mention how as the snow is melting, many bears are becoming more active and give some other safety tips when dealing with Yogi, Pooh, Teddy, or any other type of bear that you probably shouldn’t pet.

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TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE AROUND BEARS!

If the bear surprises you, stay calm and don’t try to surprise the bear back, especially if it doesn’t even know you’re there.

Pay attention to your surroundings and try to be noticeable. Most bears avoid humans, so if they see you first, most of the time, they’ll leave you alone.

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Stay in a group. Safety in numbers! Plus the more people, the noisier and smellier the group, and more likely the bear will avoid the area.

Identify yourself by talking calmly. This might sound weird, but this is to let the bear know you are a human, not a prey animal.

Stand your ground and slowly wave your arms. This will, once again, let the bear know you’re human. The bear may get closer and stand on two legs as well; this is more curiosity than an active threat.

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Stay calm, especially if the bear starts to run toward you. Continue talking in a low tone, and do not scream or run. This may trigger a hunter/attack instinct.

If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways. That way, you can keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping.

Don't climb a tree. The bear will be able to climb it better than you can.

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And to reemphasize the funny tweet, never push down a friend to try and make a getaway. It won’t end well.

For even more BEAR tips, check out National Park Service’s site.

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