Bear attacks
-	The main cause of brown bear attacks on people is a defensive reaction. In most cases the bear has been disturbed or startled by a lone person at close range, leaving it too little distance to retreat.
-	Apart from unexpected encounters, other common causes of attacks include encounters with a mother bear accompanied by her cubs or provoking a bear by the presence of a dog.
-	The groups most at risk are hunters, forestry workers, hikers, foragers of wild berries and mushrooms, shed-antler collectors, anglers, runners and cyclists.
-	When a bear genuinely poses a threat, it stands on all four legs with its front legs planted firmly and wide apart. It holds its head level or slightly lowered, sometimes swinging it from side to side, and stares fixedly at the person. It may salivate heavily, its ears are turned back and its lower lip is pushed forward.
-	An agitated bear may sometimes roar or slap the ground with its front paw, but during an actual attack it is usually silent. The general rule for encounters with large carnivores is to keep facing the bear and slowly back away.
-	Some signs of agitation and stress are subtle – freezing in place, a change in body posture, or unnatural yawning. Others are more obvious – huffing, moaning and teeth-clacking. Highly tense, aggressive displays include drooling, rapid huffing, growling and snarling with an open mouth, swiping with a paw and guttural sounds such as a roar. 
-	A bear acting in self-defence may make a bluff charge – a warning for the person to move away. If the person responds inappropriately, the charge may escalate into an attack, but in most cases it ends before any physical contact occurs.
-	Bear spray is considered the most effective way to drive off a charging bear or one behaving threateningly. The range of the spray should be 7–10 meters, depending on weather conditions. With the trigger fully depressed, the total discharge time is approximately six seconds or more.
-	If an attack occurs, the aim is to protect your vital organs and convince the bear that you are not a threat.
-	A bear attacks by swiping with its paws, biting, knocking its victim to the ground, by a combination of swiping, knocking down and biting, or by dragging its victim along the ground. Paw swipes are aimed at the head and face, the collarbones, the shoulder blade and the chest.
-	A bear that is defending itself will usually stop attacking once it realises you are no longer a threat. Fighting back could prolong the attack and increase the likelihood of serious injury. Experts recommend a passive response: lie face down, protect your head and neck with your arms and hands, and remain motionless (‘play dead’) until the bear leaves. If the bear rolls you over, return to your original position so that your stomach and other vital organs are protected against the ground.