{"id":2191452,"date":"2026-06-13T06:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T05:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2191452"},"modified":"2026-06-05T15:33:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:33:17","slug":"one-key-thing-to-remember-it-can-run-as-fast-as-a-racehorse-10-most-dangerous-animals-you-really-dont-want-to-meet-on-a-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/one-key-thing-to-remember-it-can-run-as-fast-as-a-racehorse-10-most-dangerous-animals-you-really-dont-want-to-meet-on-a-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;One key thing to remember \u2013 it can run as fast as a racehorse&#8230;&#8221; 10 most dangerous animals you REALLY don&#8217;t want to meet on a hike"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Wild animals are not the most dangerous thing about hiking in remote regions, but they are definitely worth bearing in mind. Here we look at the main species you need to take account of.<\/p>\n<p>Given the preponderance of large predators \u2013\u00a0big cats, especially \u2013\u00a0in Africa and some parts of Asia, we\u2019ve assumed people will not be foolish enough to go out on their own in those areas they are likely to encounter them.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10 most dangerous animals to encounter while hiking<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">American black bear<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe id=\"892778347\" title=\"Black Bears in the USA | David Attenborough | BBC Studios\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/znsizoRBink?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discoverwildlife.com\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-129157385_7=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>When\u00a0Katie Jackson\u00a0was charged by an\u00a0American black bear\u00a0in Montana last year, she freely admits \u2013 despite being an experienced hiker and runner \u2013\u00a0she didn\u2019t follow the rules.<\/p>\n<p>She got between a mother and her cubs and compounded this error by trying to get footage for her socials rather than focusing on survival. She then messed up with the pepper spray badly. Luckily, the mother bear saw sense and ran off. In general, guidelines for managing encounters with both North America bear species are the same \u2013 stay calm, make yourself known and don\u2019t run.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brown bear<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_155645\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2130px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-155645\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/brown-bear.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"TKrzysztof Baranowski \/ Getty Images\" width=\"2120\" height=\"1414\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">TKrzysztof Baranowski \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>Being stalked by a brown bear would be nerve-wracking whoever you are \u2013\u00a0but when you\u2019re a 12-year-old boy out hiking with your step-father in northern Italy, presumably more so. In fact, as a\u00a0video of the incident shows, the boy in question reacted perfectly, not panicking but continuing to walk away from the animal that was no more than curious.<\/p>\n<p>The risk of attack from a brown bear is very low \u2013\u00a0the vast majority would not see a human as prey and have little interest in interacting with you. One key thing to remember \u2013\u00a0a bear can run as fast as a\u00a0racehorse, both up and down hill.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cougar or mountain lion<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe id=\"903000756\" title=\"Man has insane ,wild encounter with cougar while hiking\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RkV5NRADmYQ?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.discoverwildlife.com\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-129157385_7=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>This\u00a0video\u00a0show what can happen if you disturb a female\u00a0cougar\u00a0with cubs, as Kyle Burgess did while hiking in Utah in 2020. Despite backing off from the irate feline (and shouting multiple profanities aggressively), he\u2019s followed for more than five minutes.<\/p>\n<p>She makes several intimidating charges. Cougar attacks are rare, but in 2024\u00a0BBC News\u00a0reported an incident that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old male hunter, while in a separate episode, a woman was attacked while cycling with a group of friends.<\/p>\n<p>Guidelines for dealing with a cougar involve \u201cmaking yourself tall, shouting, waving arms and generally making yourself appear obvious\u201d.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rattlesnake<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_140110\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2131px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-140110\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/09\/rattlesnake.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"rattlesnake\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>Brian Hearn learned the hard way why you should leave\u00a0rattlesnakes\u00a0alone. Walking across\u00a0his allotment in Florida in 2012, he attacked a timber rattler for the sake of other people on the plot.<\/p>\n<p>He was bitten and ended up in hospital for seven days. He describes a 40-minute period where his symptoms went from \u201ctingling\u201d in his body to difficulty breathing and slipping out of consciousness. But while their venom is highly potent and can kill,\u00a0rattlesnakes are not aggressive and really want nothing to do with you \u2013\u00a0avoid them, and they\u2019ll avoid you. Safety tips for hikers include sticking to the trail, wearing stout boots and not putting your hands or feet where you cannot see what\u2019s there.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wolf<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_133680\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2122px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-133680\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/Deadliest-dogs.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Getty\" width=\"2112\" height=\"1420\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>In 2010,\u00a0BBC News\u00a0reported that a teacher living in the tiny community of Chignik Lake, south of Anchorage in Alaska, was killed by animals while out for a jog. From the tracks at the scene, the authorities determined she\u2019d been taken down by up to four wolves.<\/p>\n<p>But the reality is that attacks on humans are very rare in the USA, Canada or indeed Europe where they are becoming more common \u2013\u00a0this was the first documented fatal wolf incident in the US in 50 years, though in parts of India and Turkey, they are more common.<\/p>\n<p>If you should encounter wolves in the wild, the guidelines are the same as for many animals \u2013\u00a0stand tall, group together and maintain eye contact with the nearest one.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elk<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_155659\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2129px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-155659\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/elk.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hawk Buckman \/ Getty images\" width=\"2119\" height=\"1415\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Hawk Buckman \/ Getty images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s not just predators that are dangerous to humans \u2013\u00a0many herbivores can be, too, and elk, or moose as they are known in North America, are a good example. How close should you get to a moose, asks wildlife biologist\u00a0Kristine Rines\u00a0from New Hampshire\u2019s Fish and Game Department.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou should be far enough away to get behind the nearest tree before a galloping horse could get there,\u201d she says. The species is especially common in parts of New England in the US where hiking is popular. Look out for an animal with its ears back, smacking its lips, tossing its head back or even urinating on its back legs as these are clear signs of irritation, but any animal can become grumpy at any time.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bison<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_155661\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2130px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-155661\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Bison.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Jordan Siemens\/Getty Images\" width=\"2120\" height=\"1414\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Jordan Siemens\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>Hiking in a state park in Texas, Rebecca Clark encountered a small herd of bison that looked uninterested in her \u2013\u00a0until that is,\u00a0one charged and gored her, leaving her requiring helicopter evacuation.<\/p>\n<p>Raised tails, lowered heads and pawing the ground are all indications that a bison may be irritated, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife, and it recommends this rule for ensuring you keep sufficient distance from any you see. \u201cStretch your arm out away from your face and give the bison a thumbs up! Now close one eye. Can you cover the bison with your thumb? If not, you\u2019re too close!\u201d the agency says on its\u00a0website.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn bison culture, a head-on gaze can communicate a threat or just simply rude behavior, especially to dominant males,\u201d it adds. There are bison now in parts of Europe including Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brown snake<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_155662\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2570px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-155662\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Pseudonaja-textilis-scaled.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Kristian Bell\/ Getty - Kristian Bell\/Getty Images\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1786\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Kristian Bell\/ Getty &#8211; Kristian Bell\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s not got the most exciting name, but there\u2019s nothing dull about the brown snake \u2013\u00a0or, its venom, at least. Endemic to Australia, a land of multiple deadly creatures, the brown snake (there are two species, the eastern and western) is one of the deadliest.<\/p>\n<p>One woman in Western Australia was so alarmed by an encounter while being\u00a0guided on a hike, she ignored all the instructions to stay calm. \u201cThere&#8217;s a venomous snake. The tour guide literally just said, back away slowly, and I ran,\u201d she admitted.<\/p>\n<p>Stats show that between one and four people die from snake bites in Australia every year, but very few of them are hikers. As with rattlesnakes, the advice is to give them a wide berth and keep your eyes on the trail.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asian elephant<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_13661\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 4510px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-13661\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2015\/05\/GettyImages-1041975650-bc68316.jpg?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Asian wild elephant in Kuiburi National Park, Thailandsittitap \/ Getty\" width=\"4500\" height=\"3002\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>You may encounter wild\u00a0Asian elephants\u00a0on your trek, warns\u00a0one company\u00a0that organises adventure trips in Thailand, and they can be a risk, but here\u2019s how to recognise any danger signs. \u201cIf its\u00a0ears are flared wide, or it\u2019s\u00a0swaying its head, raising its trunk, or trumpeting, those are signs of agitation,\u201d it warns.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, a Thai tourist was trampled by an elephant while camping in Khao Yai National Park. Rangers, it was reported, said the bull elephant was in musth, a natural, breeding state which makes them more unpredictable and aggressive.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Feral dogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_155664\" class=\"thumbnail wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"width: 2014px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=75&amp;resize=75&amp;ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=100&amp;resize=100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=150&amp;resize=150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=240&amp;resize=240&amp;ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=320&amp;resize=320&amp;ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=500&amp;resize=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=640&amp;resize=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=800&amp;resize=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1024&amp;resize=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1280&amp;resize=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=1600&amp;resize=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" class=\"wp-image-155664\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/Ferrel-dogs.png?webp=1&amp;w=1200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Akaradech Pramoonsin \/ Getty Images\" width=\"2004\" height=\"1398\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"caption wp-caption-text\">Akaradech Pramoonsin \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n<p>In all likelihood, the most dangerous animals you can meet while hiking in remote regions are feral (or even just loose) dogs. One\u00a0local guide on the island of Cura\u00e7ao\u00a0in the Caribbean describes how he has been bitten twice, once badly, by dogs that were either not or poorly restrained.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s tested a number of deterrents and now recommends either an ultrasonic device or a very loud \u2018doghorn\u2019 to ward off potential attacks. Failing that, a big stick can be handy.<\/p>\n<p>If you are bitten or scratched by dogs &#8211; or any wildlife \u2013 always seek medical attention within 24 hours and let them know if you are vaccinated against rabies<\/p>\n<p><em>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/animal-facts\/mammals\/dangerous-animals-on-a-hike\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">article<\/a> by James Fair was first published by Discover Wildlife on 1 June 2026. Lead Image:\u00a0Joe DeSanto \/ Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Help to protect wildlife<\/h2>\n<p>Focusing on Wildlife works closely with local conservation partners in almost 50 countries to deliver locally led conservation solutions that are sustainable, scientifically robust, and linked to human well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Our approach focuses on protecting and restoring habitats, saving species from extinction, and influencing global policy and business practices to prioritize nature.<\/p>\n<p>Work with us to support the vital work of our conservation partners by making a monthly donation as little as $5.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/install-popup-button.js\" id=\"donorbox-popup-button-installer\"> <\/script><a id=\"preview_inline_popup_button\" class=\"dbox-donation-button\" style=\"background: #0dc5dc; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; display: flex; gap: 8px; width: fit-content; font-size: 16px; border-radius: 5px; line-height: 24px; padding: 8px 24px;\" href=\"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/focusing-on-wildlife-needs-your-support?default_interval=m&amp;amount=25\" data-reminder-widget-enabled=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">PROTECT WILDLIFE<\/a><script type=\"module\" src=\"https:\/\/donorbox.org\/widgets.js\" async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Our conservation partners spend at least 80 percent of the money raised on actual fieldwork rather than administration and fundraising.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"border-top: 1px solid white;\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wild animals are not the most dangerous thing about hiking in remote regions, but they are definitely worth bearing in mind. Here we look at the main species you need to take account of. Given the preponderance of large predators \u2013\u00a0big cats, especially \u2013\u00a0in Africa and some parts of Asia, we\u2019ve assumed people will not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1178,"featured_media":2206272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/03\/black-bear.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6985,5],"tags":[462,213,3123,8442,11878,2414,5639,8099,1037],"class_list":["post-2191452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-wildlife","tag-american-black-bear","tag-asian-elephant","tag-bears","tag-black-bears","tag-brown-snake","tag-elephants","tag-mountain-lion","tag-rattlesnake","tag-wolves"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2191452","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1178"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2191452"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2191452\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2206272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2191452"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2191452"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2191452"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}