An encounter with a bear in the forest
-	Bears are naturally shy and cautious animals that usually flee quickly from people. The vast majority of injuries are caused by bears reacting in self-defence because they feel threatened.
-	There is a relatively high risk of an encounter when approaching an injured bear; when camping in areas where food-conditioned bears are present; when moving through hard-to-reach terrain such as rocky areas with caves, windthrow sites and the like; and during forestry work or hunting. On trips into the outdoors such a dangerous situation occurs only in rare cases, and this risk is virtually zero if you successfully avoid the high-risk areas listed above.
-	Encountering a bear does not necessarily mean it will attack.
-	Whether or not a bear attacks depends, for example, on the distance between the person and the bear and on the specific situation – such as whether there is a carcass nearby, whether cubs are present, or whether the bear is stressed.
-	A bear's response to an encounter with a person also depends on how that person reacts and behaves, on the bear's sex, age, physical condition and temperament, and on its past experience with people.
-	A bear standing up on its hind legs is not behaving aggressively. This is investigative behaviour: The bear is orientating itself towards the source of a disturbing or suspicious smell, sound or light, and depending on the intensity of the stimulus, it decides whether to flee or remain where it is.
-	An encounter with a bear is an unpredictable situation. The key is to remain calm and assess the situation correctly. React according to whether the bear is aware of you and how far away it is.
-	If the bear is unaware of your presence, do not take any risks and do not attempt to take photographs! Quietly and discreetly retrace your steps. Give the bear plenty of space so that it can move away undisturbed.
-	The bear has noticed you. Do not turn your back on it. Speak to it calmly, so that it recognises you as a person and not as another bear or as prey. Do not run. Back away slowly and keep the situation in view.
-	Back away slowly and smoothly, without any sudden movements. Do not look the bear directly in the eyes, as it may perceive this as a threat. If the bear stands up on its hind legs, this is not an attack. It is simply assessing the situation using its sense of smell and sight.
-	The outcome of an encounter with a bear also depends on how the person reacts and behaves. Aggressive behaviour on your part may provoke an attack or make it more severe.