Wild Animal Encounter Survival Guide: What to Do Around Dangerous Wildlife

Learn practical, real-world safety tips for staying alive during wild animal encounters—on land and in water—with clear do’s and don’ts.

Wild animals usually don’t want to fight humans—but when they feel threatened, surprised, cornered, or attracted by food, a “normal” encounter can turn dangerous fast. Below is a practical, field-ready guide covering 20 common high-risk animal scenarios, with prevention first and last-resort actions second.

The universal rules that prevent most attacks

• Keep distance and give an escape route. Many animals attack when they feel trapped.
• Don’t feed wildlife, don’t leave food out, don’t carry strong-smelling snacks openly. Food-conditioning makes animals bolder and more aggressive around people.
• Stay calm, move slowly, don’t run unless guidance specifically says you should.
• Use barriers. Trees, rocks, vehicles, and terrain are your best “tools.”
• Know local emergency numbers and carry a basic first-aid kit.

Sharks: how to avoid being targeted in the water

Avoid it

• Don’t enter the water if you’re bleeding; avoid areas with active fishing or baitfish.
• Stay calm and controlled—panic splashing can resemble prey behavior.

If a shark approaches

• Face the shark and keep it in view.
• If contact is unavoidable, target eyes and gills as a last resort.

Risk reality check: reported shark fatalities globally are typically low compared to media coverage.

Kangaroos: avoid triggering a defensive fight

Avoid it

• Keep distance—especially around large males and when dogs are present.
• Back away slowly; don’t corner the animal.

If it becomes aggressive: Protect your face/neck; if knocked down, curl up and cover your head.

Lions: how to respond to a stalking predator

Avoid it: Don’t walk alone at dawn/dusk in lion habitat; keep kids close.

If confronted

• Maintain eye contact, stand tall, raise your arms/jacket to look larger.
• Speak firmly; do not run.

Elephants: reading the “charge” warning signs

Avoid it

• Never get between a mother and calf; give her a wide berth.
• Don’t approach for photos—even if the elephant seems calm.

If it charges

• Get behind a large solid barrier (tree, boulder, vehicle).
• Keep moving to cover; don’t rely on speed alone.

Rhinoceroses: what to do when a charge starts

Avoid it: Stay downwind and keep distance—rhinos can be defensive and unpredictable.

If it charges

• Put a solid obstacle between you and the rhino (tree/rock/termite mound).
• If you must run, run to cover, not “away in open ground.”

Hippopotamuses: the “cute” animal that causes brutal injuries

Avoid it

• Never get between a hippo and water.
• Give extra space near rivers, sandbanks, and low water during hot seasons.

If threatened: Get to higher ground or behind strong cover; climb if possible.

Bulls (and cattle): the safe exit matters more than “standing still”

Avoid it: Don’t enter fields with cattle (especially with calves) if you can avoid it.

If a bull/cow charges

• Move to safety immediately: fence, gate, tree, vehicle.
• Use obstacles; don’t waste time trying “tricks” if an exit is available.

Jellyfish: correct first aid (and what not to do)

Do this

• Get out of the water.
• Carefully remove tentacles (glove/towel/plastic bag/stick).
• Use seawater if you must flush; then hot water immersion (as hot as tolerated) for ~20 minutes for pain relief.

Don’t do this

• Don’t rub the area and don’t wrap tight bandages.
• “Peeing on it” is unreliable and can worsen irritation.

Crocodiles or alligators: prevention at the shoreline is everything

Avoid it

• The highest risk is at the water’s edge, especially dusk to dawn; don’t swim in unmarked areas.
• Never feed them (this escalates risk dramatically).

If attacked

• Fight back aggressively—strike the snout if possible.
• Get away from water immediately.

Snakes: the safest bite “treatment” is fast medical care

Avoid it: Watch where you step/put hands; wear boots and long pants in snake areas.

If bitten

• Seek emergency care immediately (antivenom timing matters).
• Stay calm, keep the bite in a neutral position, remove rings/watches before swelling.
• Wash with soap and water; cover with a clean, dry dressing.
• Do not cut, suck venom, or use a tourniquet.

Bears: the response changes by bear behavior and species

Avoid it: Make noise on trails; carry bear spray where legal; keep food secured.

If a bear is close: Don’t run. Back away slowly, speak calmly.

If an attack happens: NPS guidance varies by situation (defensive vs. predatory); in many defensive-grizzly scenarios “play dead” is taught, while in predatory scenarios you fight back with everything you have.

Gorillas: how to behave on treks and in forest encounters

Avoid it: Follow ranger instructions; keep distance; avoid direct staring.

If approached:

• Crouch to appear smaller, stay calm, avoid sudden moves.
• If charged, protect head/neck and stay low.

Bees (and other stinging insects): escape first, then treat

Avoid it: Don’t swat; move away from the hive/flight path calmly.

If stung:

• Remove the stinger quickly (scrape it out), wash the area, and monitor for signs of anaphylaxis.
• If breathing difficulty, swelling of face/throat, or widespread hives occur: call emergency services.

Wolves: rare attacks, but you must not act like prey

• Keep distance; do not run.
• Stand tall, make noise, throw objects if needed, and back away slowly.

Wild boar: don’t get between a sow and piglets

• Keep dogs under control and don’t approach.
• If a boar advances, back away and put a tree/solid object between you and it.
• If you’re knocked down, protect your head/neck and get to safety as soon as the animal disengages.

Moose and elk: unlike bears, running to cover can be correct

• Give a wide detour; keep a tree/vehicle between you and the moose.
• If a moose charges, run to a solid obstacle (tree/car/building).
• If knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your head.

Bison and buffalo: big, fast, and triggered by “too close”

• Keep at least 25 yards (23 m) from large wildlife (including bison) in places like Yellowstone.
• If a bison shows agitation or starts to charge, move quickly behind a vehicle/structure—don’t try to “hold your ground.”

Mountain lions (cougars): you must look dangerous, not edible

• Face the animal; don’t run.
• Make yourself big (raise arms/jacket), shout, throw rocks.
• If attacked, fight back targeting eyes/face.

Leopards and other stealth big cats: assume it’s testing you

• Don’t crouch or turn away; maintain awareness and back away slowly.
• Make noise and look large; keep children close and pick them up.
• If it commits to attack, fight aggressively at eyes/face.

Stingrays: prevent the injury, then use heat for pain

Avoid it: Shuffle your feet in sandy shallows to avoid stepping on one.

If stung: Flush the wound, keep the part still, and soak in hot water as tolerated for at least 20 minutes; follow up for tetanus/infection risk.

Quick FAQ

Should you pee on a jellyfish sting?
No—recommended care is tentacle removal and hot-water immersion; rubbing and tight bandaging are discouraged.

What’s the first thing to do after a snakebite?
Get emergency help immediately, keep calm, remove jewelry, wash with soap and water, and avoid cutting/sucking/tourniquets.

If an alligator attacks, where do you hit?
Guidance includes fighting back and striking the snout if possible, then getting away from the water edge.

How close is too close to bison in national parks?
Some parks require staying at least 25 yards (23 m) from large wildlife like bison.

What should you do if a cougar approaches?
Don’t run—face it, look big, make noise, and fight back if attacked.

Closing note (important)

This guide is for general safety education. Local species and best practices can vary by country/park—always follow ranger instructions and local wildlife authority guidance first.