What dangers can there be in the forest? The impact of deforestation on the global environment and measures to save them. Statistics on deforestation in the world and in Russia

IN Lately attacks by wild animals on people have become more frequent in the forests. IN largest zone At risk are mushroom pickers and tourists, but everyone else may find themselves face to face with a wolf or bear: predators often come out of the forest in search of food. the site tells you what to do and how to behave when meeting a wild animal.

Bear

When meeting a bear, you should not try to run away. Photo: pixabay.com

Hunters say: wild animals themselves avoid meeting people, and in order to avoid encountering a bear, it is enough to follow some rules of conduct in the forest. Experts advise moving through the forest not alone, but in a group, and talking loudly to warn the animal of your approach: then the animal will not show itself. It is best to stop for a rest in open areas of the forest, and after cooking on a fire, all leftover food must be burned - the bear can smell the food and come out to people. You also need to burn tin cans. If you suddenly meet bear cubs in the forest, you should not stop to take a couple of photos or just admire the cubs: their mother bear is walking nearby, and she definitely will not like the fact that you are getting close to her cubs.

If you were unable to avoid the meeting and you see a bear approaching, you need to try to remain calm, no matter how difficult it is: in such a situation, a cool mind is your main assistant. If the bear has not noticed you, try to silently hide from its field of vision and carefully leave the forest. If a predator is looking at you, talk to him in a low voice. The animal may come closer and stand on its hind legs to sniff you and make sure there is no threat. At the same time, it is better not to move and under no circumstances run away - the predator will regard this as a danger and will quickly be able to catch up with you. Don't try to climb a tree. When the bear is aggressive and about to attack, lie down on the ground and play dead. Most often, the forest dweller sees that the person does not pose a threat, sniffs him and leaves. In other cases, it remains, on the contrary, to shout loudly, call for help and, if possible, rattle metal objects: When a predator sees other people, it will get scared and run away.

Wolf

The wolf feels fear acutely. Photo: pixabay.com

The wolf feels fear better than all predators, so when meeting him, first of all, you must remember to remain calm. Under no circumstances turn your back to the wolf: he will regard this as a reason to attack. If you encounter a whole pack, slowly step back, facing the wolves, and talk loudly. Try to climb the first tree you come across.

If the wolf attacks, try not to let yourself be knocked to the ground, stay on your feet as long as possible and loudly call for help. You can try inserting a thick stick into the predator's mouth. When the jaw closes, the animal will experience pain, try to get rid of the obstacle, and you will have time to escape.

Boar

You can escape from the wild boar in a tree. Photo: pixabay.com

Most often, a wild boar attack is provoked by the person himself. The beast attacks first if it is wounded and enraged: in such a situation it is better not to catch its eye. While the animal does not see you, you can try to hide unnoticed, but when a wounded boar sees a person and runs at him, there are only a few seconds left for action, and you cannot hesitate.

The best way to protect yourself is to climb a tree, even if it’s not tall, but strong. Boars cannot climb or jump and will soon lose interest in you. The animal can be scared away by the hunter's signals - special pyrotechnic cartridges. Do not try to use them as a means of self-defense: the boar will only become even more angry. Point the charges into the air - in most cases the animal will leave.

Lynx

Lynx rarely attacks first. Photo: pixabay.com

The lynx behaves very carefully and tries never to catch the eye of a person. Even if the animal sees tourists or mushroom pickers, it will not attack and will prefer to remain unnoticed. Danger exists only if the animal is wounded. It is almost impossible to prevent an attack, since the lynx usually hides in tree branches and appears unexpectedly.

However, we should not forget that the lynx is the same cat, only big, and it is quite shy. The animal can be forced to leave by actively waving its arms and making loud noises.

If you see an animal moving away, do not try to get closer to it or lure it to you: the meeting may end in failure.

Elk

Often the moose can be more dangerous than a bear. Photo: pixabay.com

Although moose are herbivores, they can often be more dangerous to humans than bears. Moose are most aggressive during mating season, which usually takes place in early autumn. In this situation, the elk is extremely dangerous, and it will be much easier to prevent such a meeting than to escape when it has already taken place.

If you see that the bark on the trees is peeled off at about the height of a man, it means that a moose is walking nearby. You can also recognize its nearby location by the piles of droppings on the ground.

When the animal does see you, try to hide behind a tree. As you know, moose have poor eyesight, and the elk may lose sight of you. Don't run: this will only make him more aggressive. While the animal is looking at you, freeze and do not move, and if the elk attacks, climb a tree and wait for it to leave.

Walk in the woods- it is always a joy to communicate with the world of living nature; it evokes a whole range of sensations and impressions, painted in spring-summer-autumn-winter colors. However, lovers of such travel must know: a forest is, first of all, a complex complex of relationships between plants, animals, soils, sunlight and night darkness, air and water.

Man in the forest- a guest, and from the point of view of forest inhabitants - an uninvited and uninvited guest, often completely unaware of the rules of behavior “on a visit”. Hence - accidents, emergencies, injuries, fears, legends and myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest conceals.

Animals living in the forest pose a danger to humans. They are very diverse, but it is still possible to formulate several general patterns in their behavior:

1. Animals, especially birds and mammals, are significantly better than man adapted to life in the forest. They have more advanced sensory organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell is a strong danger signal for a wild animal.

2. The popular opinion about the timidity of animals, especially large predators, should not be exaggerated too much. For some of them, such as bears and tigers, a very common behavior trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression.

3. Not people, but animals are in the forest on their own territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a typical “border violation”, “invasion” with all the ensuing consequences.

4. In the animal world, unlike human society, the concepts of “stranger” and “enemy”, “unknown” and “dangerous” often coincide, so it is at least naive to count on a friendly attitude on the part of forest inhabitants.

5. Animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from humans, sedentary ones use various ways passive or active protection. Forest animals- unsurpassed masters of camouflage, they know how to use all kinds of shelters.

6. The behavior of many animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly during certain periods of their life cycle(reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger to humans increases sharply.

7. Any species, even a widespread one, prefers certain habitats, and here the probability of a chance encounter with animals of this species is higher.

Remember two fairly simple and accessible rules that will help you avoid many troubles. It is necessary to have an understanding of the habits of animals and birds, plus be attentive and careful during forest walks.

Forest emergencies involving animals can be divided into two groups: active attacks potentially dangerous beast and accidents that occur as a result of careless (or illiterate) handling of an animal, which in a normal situation treats a person quite neutrally.

In the main settlement zone of Russia and Ukraine, situations of the first type are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals - bear, wolf, tiger, lynx, leopard, elk, wild boar, deer. Unprovoked attacks are quite rare. For example, a tiger lunges at people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually the animal attacks: for the purpose of self-defense, during a hunt, when caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals are especially aggressive during this period), protecting offspring, during persistent pursuit under -wound or just when chance meeting with a person, with sudden close eye-to-eye contact.

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most sudden encounters with this animal end in its rapid flight. Nevertheless, cases of unprovoked attacks on people in the European part of Russia are recorded almost every year. Suddenly, mushroom and berry pickers and tourists, as a rule, “look out for the bear.” Sometimes the bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away. However, much more serious incidents are also known, when an animal literally besieged a hunting lodge - sometimes for almost a week! - and did not let people out of there. Cases of aggression from a bear disturbed in its winter den are quite common. However, such “dates” can be easily avoided if you know the bear’s favorite places in this forest(bears are quite conservative in choosing a territory for a den) and avoid them further. A meeting with a wolf is fraught with significant danger, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than to attack. The famous Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat wonderfully described such a sudden meeting. “...We collided nose to nose. We were separated by some two meters... We silently stared at each other. I don’t know what was going on in his massive skull, but my head was filled with a swarm of disturbing thoughts. The amber eyes of a seasoned tundra wolf gazed directly at me; Apparently, he was heavier than me and, undoubtedly, had a much better command of unarmed fighting techniques.

For several seconds neither of us moved, we continued to hypnotize each other with our gaze. The wolf was the first to break the spell. With a leap that would have done honor even to Russian dancers, he soared into the air and took off running..."

IN last years experts note that people encounter wolves in the forest zone more often than before. Fans of forest walks, and especially long routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden meeting with a wolf or fox that has rabies. Here an attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its “stupor”, angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, and immediate, literally on the spot, attack. The beast sometimes seems to sputter with saliva; There is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. Under no circumstances should you approach them - they may bite, and then you will have to undergo long-term treatment.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going into the forest it would be useful to obtain information from the SES about outbreaks of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

In recent years, due to the emergence of numerous holiday villages, another serious problem- feral dogs that gather in packs, often large ones. Animals are very aggressive, secretive and cunning (learned from humans). A meeting with a flock is extremely dangerous in the same cases as with other predators. If you are attacked by such dogs, we advise you to use a unique method of protection. Since many of these animals still remember communicating with humans, a sharp and imperative shout of “no!” often helps.

Wild ungulates common to Russian and Ukrainian forests- moose, wild boar, deer, roe deer are much more timid and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, move away from humans. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger. There are known cases when an elk kept a tree “under siege” for hours, on which an unlucky tourist or hunter was escaping from an angry elk.

How to avoid an unwanted meeting with wild beast? Perhaps, best way- reduce the likelihood of a collision to a minimum. Avoid traveling to areas where encountering a predator is common; do not appear in the favorite habitats of dangerous animals. If you do go on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, trampled grass and undergrowth, stripped bark on trees, droppings, feeding sites, and sometimes the remains of prey. Wolves, being the first to sense a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, loud barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially the young. During the rut or feeding, wild boars behave so noisily that it is not so difficult to notice them. You should avoid animal trails, difficult to pass, overgrown with bushes and littered forest areas, and windbreaks. In such places there is a high probability of encountering an animal, and it is also extremely inconvenient to retreat here. When going into the forest (preferably not alone), be sure to tell about where you are going to go and when you expect to return.

But what to do if an unpleasant date does happen? First of all, don’t lose your presence of mind! Try not to panic. Experienced hunters They believe that an animal feels when a person is afraid of it, your fear will only spur aggression, i.e. the animal’s instinct to attack a weaker enemy may be triggered. No sudden movements or shrill screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare, and not attract, the animal in this way. However, sometimes the scream actually confuses the animal and even sends it into a stampede. Stories are told of how a man, with his arms outstretched, ran screaming towards a bear, who retreated in fear. However, not everyone is capable of such actions!

When meeting a bear or tiger, you should not turn your back to the animal: he will regard such a position as proof of your weakness. A person naturally tries to run away from danger, but in this case, flight is good only if you are absolutely sure that you will reach a safer place (for example, a hunting lodge, a tree, a car, etc.) faster than a predator, and to do this It is extremely difficult in forest conditions. It is almost impossible to escape from a bear or a tiger; Moreover, for all predators, the flight of the prey only fuels the desire to pursue it. Experts, as the best way out of the situation, advise freezing in place, and then, as calmly as possible, backing away, retreating and, only having moved 10-15 meters away, also slowly, sideways. At these moments it is very important not to provoke the predator to aggressive behavior excessive courage or, on the contrary, cowardice, do not aggravate the situation, which at the very beginning is more neutral than outright dangerous. The experience of unexpected encounters with a tiger shows that in approximately 80% of cases the animal does not show aggression at the first moment, behaves “cognitively”, does not leave the person, but does not approach him either. The tiger can simply stand still and look in the direction of the stranger, and then walk away with dignity.

Experienced people do not advise looking directly into the eyes of a predator for a long time, since such a look (and a person, numb with fear, usually looks intently at the animal) can be perceived as competition and will only spur aggression.

When retreating, you need to carefully monitor the animal’s facial expressions in order to predict its intentions. A bear, for example, has a good “indicator” of a relatively calm state—upright ears. If the ears are pressed to the head, the fur on the back of the neck stands on end, the animal bares its teeth, trembles, and hunches a little, it means that it is really angry and ready to attack.

When you are faced with large predator nose to nose, remember that there is a certain critical distance, at which the situation will still remain fairly neutral and the animal will most likely not dare to attack first, but will only scare you. If the distance is less than critical, then the predator may feel driven into a corner and go ahead, that is, rush at the person. Therefore, if you suddenly find yourself, for example, directly in front of a bear, move a few meters to the side, maintaining a critical distance.

While in the forest, it is sometimes worth making your presence known (by voice or other means), as if warning the animals and giving them the opportunity to leave. In general, if a person is not hunting, the most correct thing for him is to walk noisily, talk loudly or hum. But that's exceptional dangerous predator, a connecting rod bear, the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract.

Experienced hunters also talk about more “exotic” methods of behavior at critical moments of an encounter with a predator. This, for example, is “persuading” an animal: a person began to talk affectionately about something and a calm intonation softened the aggressive tension of the animal. In some cases, objects thrown aside helped - a backpack, a hat, a sweater, food; they distracted the predator's attention and gave them time to retreat. Another way to reduce the aggression of an animal is to pretend to be dead, as some small animals do. It is recommended to fall on your side, curl up into a ball if possible, reducing the surface of your body, and hide your head. It is likely that the animal will sniff you, touch you, or even move you for a long time - you need to be prepared for this and be patient.

To avoid direct contact with a predator, all methods are good, since an unprepared person has very little chance of emerging victorious in a fight with a tiger, wolf or bear. Meanwhile, experts note that hand-to-hand combat with brown bear more often ends in serious injuries than death on the spot; the animal is more likely to “remember”, but will not kill. There were cases when hunters, having fallen into the arms of a bear, acted so decisively and courageously (any means were used, including blows to the sensitive nose and bites!) that the animal retreated.

And yet, let us remind you once again: there are no rules of behavior that would guarantee absolute safety for an unarmed person when meeting a large predator. The most important thing is to try to avoid encounters with wild animals.

Other type emergency situations- careless handling of forest inhabitants that are quite harmless at first glance. Unfortunately, such emergencies happen much more often than attacks by large animals, and people themselves are primarily to blame for them.

From this point of view, many forest animals can be considered potentially dangerous. First of all, this is a vast and diverse group of poisonous animals.

At certain circumstances The danger comes from arachnids and insects, especially biting and stinging ones - beetles, ants, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, butterflies. These small, mobile animals, almost invisible in dense grass or bushes, can penetrate the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, which can lead to serious injuries, especially in children. Rests and overnight stays during the hike should be done away from places where social insects gather; We also advise you to carefully check your clothing. Explain to young children that it is strictly forbidden to pick up insects, much less in the mouth, since even the “kindest” beetle will always have means of defense - spines, “jaws,” an unpleasant odor, caustic substances, etc.

Despite large-scale preventive measures, there is a threat of infection with serious diseases, the carriers of which can be forest insects. Here we should mention first of all flies. They carry pathogens (causative agents of dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria) on their tongues and proboscis. These insects pose a particular danger near forest waste dumps. People “owe” such serious diseases as tick-borne encephalitis and piroplasmosis to ticks. No less dangerous are fleas (they carry plague and tularemia) and blood-sucking mosquitoes, which not only cause pain with their bites, but also carry a number of pathogens. Perhaps the simplest and most accessible method of protection against bites of these animals is a thorough examination of open areas of the body immediately after each visit to the forest, as well as the use of a wide arsenal modern means, repelling insects. And of course - preventive vaccinations, thanks to which the frequency and severity of diseases has significantly decreased.

Small and medium in size carnivorous mammals belonging to the mustelid family (badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten, black polecat, European mink, otter), are harmless only at first glance. Remember that mustelids, although relatively small in size, are still the most real and very energetic predators, capable of active and aggressive defense; When protecting young animals, they are able to bite seriously. There are known cases when a badger, disturbed in its hole, severely bit hunting dogs and the hunters themselves, which the first one would never do in a chance meeting with a person. Some animals (for example, weasel, ferret, ermine) are not without curiosity and willingly visit settlements, and in the forest they can approach the tourist site, especially at night.

It’s worth reminding once again about such an “iron” rule of behavior in the forest, such as the prohibition of destroying animal shelters - holes, nests, etc. A person who violates this rule not only behaves unworthily in relation to our smaller brothers, but also exposes him to serious danger own health and life, since in the face of loss own home or the death of the offspring, the most peace-loving creature goes wild.

In conditions of limited visibility, especially at night, any animal, even a harmless one, can greatly frighten, especially a child, with a loud cry, a sudden sharp movement, or simply appearance(for example, not Poisonous snakes). People sometimes had heart attacks out of fright when not only such a thing suddenly took off right from under their feet. large bird, like a capercaillie, but even a hazel grouse. The sharp and noisy take-off of birds is nothing more than active protection, designed to put the predator into a state of shock for a moment. In the forest, with relative isolation, fear is much more difficult to bear and sometimes leads to severe stress, psychological trauma. Here you always need to be internally prepared for fear, for the fact that you can hear or see something “scary”.

Study the habits of wild animals, then the fear of them will recede, and the forest inhabitants will graciously accept you into their “company”.

Autumn is mushroom time, the time for hiking through the forests, drying mushrooms and “spinning.” In this article we will try to figure out how to make a trip to the dacha and a trip to the forest safe.

Beginning with early spring The way of life of many city dwellers is beginning to move closer to nature. Let's remember this time, when the sun had just begun to warm up: walks and games with children in the fresh air for many were systematically replaced by the organization of country life, cleaning personal plot, garden cultivation and planting seedlings. By mid-June country life was already finally getting better, the beds were planted and were producing the first harvests of greens and radishes. More and more often, villagers were seen along suburban highways, diligently laying out their simple goods - fragrant wild strawberries and the first mushrooms. Just at this time, urban connoisseurs of the gifts of the forest also flocked en masse to the lands, where they were often in danger. In autumn, trips to the forest become more frequent: the desire for winter mushroom reserves is combined with the need to obtain natural antidepressants through communication with nature, because the autumn blues do not take long to arrive.

Dangers in the forest

The first trouble that any summer resident outside the city faces is ticks. Taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus) and dog tick (Ixodes ricinus) – carriers mortal danger enemies of man. The habitat of the first of them is Siberian forests and forests Far East. The dog tick is a resident of predominantly the European part of Russia, Central and Northern Europe. The main way to protect yourself from ticks is to take a responsible approach to choosing clothing for the forest. Do not neglect the repellent.

Our pets also need protection - treatment with drops against ticks when leaving the city is mandatory for both dogs and cats. One of the most serious diseases, often leading to the death of an animal, is piroplasmosis.

Ticks are carried by birds and animals and can be found on trees and bushes. There are especially many of them in the grass. Owners of summer cottages located near forest plantations need to keep the area clean and regularly mow the grass.

How to prepare for a hike in the forest

Watch out for snakes!

In damp areas near swamps and streams you can often find vipers basking in the sun. However, if you notice a motley inhabitant of the forest, you should not approach it even for a very good photograph. You need to get around it as carefully as possible, without provoking or intimidating. An aggressively venomous snake warns a potential offender with a characteristic hissing and crackling sound. In this case, you should leave this area of ​​the forest as quickly as possible. Some irresponsible people try to kill the snake. It is precisely such senseless actions that most often lead to severe injuries. Forest experts understand that adequate behavior and strong high boots or rubber boots can easily protect against an accidental bite.

What to do if you get lost in the forest

People lost in the forest do not dare admit to themselves that the most main danger comes from the forest guest himself. Poor awareness of correct behavior in nature, unfamiliarity with the area and lack of navigation skills most often lead to tragic consequences. When going for a walk in the forest, people often overestimate their strength and health. Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with activists from volunteer organizations, spend days searching for such “lost victims.” Unfortunately, it is not always possible to save a person. Most often, pensioners and people with poor health find themselves in such situations. But vigilance and composure can save lives.
Before going out into nature, it is necessary to inform relatives or neighbors about your approximate route of movement and the expected time of return, so that in the event of an emergency, people can raise the alarm in time and guide rescuers. It is important to take a charged mobile phone, having prepared in advance a list of duty numbers of local intelligence agencies. Many modern phones come with a navigation system, which can be very useful. It is dangerous to take a mobile phone that requires charging into the forest; do not be lazy to charge it in time until the battery is full. For forest visitors middle zone Where it is not recommended to take water from open sources for drinking, be sure to have a bottle of clean still water with you. A small chocolate bar or a hematogen familiar to everyone from childhood will not burden your load, they will give you strength and help you cheer up at the first signs of fatigue. As well as a small knife and pocket lighter
The basic first aid kit consists of the obligatory painkillers, antihistamines, heart medications, as well as plaster, bandages and potassium permanganate, and then supplemented medicines, focusing on individual needs. If you take a couple of tablets of each drug and seal it tightly, such a travel first aid kit will take up very little space.

If you find yourself lost, it is important to remember a few simple rules:

1. Stop the surging panic. Alas, no one is immune from such cases. But fear and panic can delay your stay in the forest belt for hours, or maybe even days. This condition makes it impossible for the mind to think rationally.
2. Proceed carefully and slowly. Under no circumstances should you run in all directions at once. This will lead to more wandering and injury. Save your strength.
3. Stand in one place and calmly think about everything. You need to decide whether they will look for you, where you were seen in last time. If you don’t know that your friends will go looking for you, it’s better to stay where you are, because... it will be closest to the area where you were seen. Signal "Oy" with your voice. If you have a mobile phone, turn it off first to save battery. Think about it. who you can call to find you. If there is no connection or you are sure that no one will look for you, call emergency service 112. Tell them that you are lost and provide approximate directions. Speak clearly and concisely, describe what you see around you.
4. Take a break from dressing yourself warmer. Light a fire if it's cold. In general, fire is one of the most important means of salvation and a signal about your location.
5. If you are sure that no one will look for you and you do not have a phone at your disposal, make a clear plan of action, trying not to change directions. Remember important rules orientation: trees are covered with moss on the north side; the south before noon can be found to the right of the sun, after noon - to the left. As you move, leave nicks and other marks.

If you follow these simple rules, you can avoid dangerous consequences forest walk. Mostly city dwellers who have turned away from the bustle of the city and are rediscovering wild world(and also for those who have thought about safety in advance!), pleasant fatigue awaits you after a forest hike, bringing with it a healthy, sound sleep.

A walk through the forest is always a joy from communicating with the world of living nature; it evokes a whole range of sensations and impressions, painted in spring-summer-autumn-winter colors. However, lovers of such travel must know: a forest is, first of all, a complex complex of relationships between plants, animals, soils, sunlight and night darkness, air and water.

A person in the forest is a guest, and from the point of view of the forest inhabitants, he is an uninvited and uninvited guest, often completely unaware of the rules of behavior “on a visit.” Hence - accidents, emergencies, injuries, fears, legends and myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest conceals.

Animals living in the forest pose a danger to humans. They are very diverse, but it is still possible to formulate several general patterns in their behavior.

1. Animals, especially birds and mammals, are much better adapted to life in the forest than humans. They have more advanced sensory organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell is a strong danger signal for a wild animal.

2. The popular opinion about the timidity of animals, especially large predators, should not be exaggerated too much. For some of them, such as bears and tigers, a very common behavior trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression.

3. Not people, but animals are in the forest on their own territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a typical “border violation”, “invasion” with all the ensuing consequences.

4. In the animal world, unlike human society, the concepts of “stranger” and “enemy”, “unknown” and “dangerous” often coincide, so it is at least naive to count on a friendly attitude on the part of forest inhabitants.

5. Animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from humans, sedentary animals use various methods of passive or active protection. Forest animals are unsurpassed masters of camouflage; they know how to use all kinds of shelters.

6. The behavior of many animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly during certain periods of their life cycle (reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger to humans increases sharply.

7. Any species, even a widespread one, prefers certain habitats, and here the probability of a chance encounter with animals of this species is higher.

Remember two fairly simple and accessible rules that will help you avoid many troubles. It is necessary to have an understanding of the habits of animals and birds, plus be attentive and careful during forest walks.

Emergencies in the forest associated with animals can be divided into two groups: an active attack by a potentially dangerous animal and accidents that occur as a result of careless (or illiterate) handling of an animal, which in a normal situation is quite neutral towards humans.

In the main settlement zone of Russia, situations of the first type are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals - bear, wolf, tiger, lynx, leopard, elk, wild boar, deer. Unprovoked attacks are quite rare. For example, a tiger lunges at people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually the animal attacks: for the purpose of self-defense, during a hunt, when caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals are especially aggressive during this period), protecting offspring, when persistently pursuing a wounded animal or simply during a chance meeting with a person, during sudden close eye-to-eye contact.

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most sudden encounters with this animal end in its rapid flight. Nevertheless, cases of unprovoked attacks on people in the European part of Russia are recorded almost every year. Suddenly, mushroom and berry pickers and tourists, as a rule, “look out for the bear.” Sometimes the bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away. However, much more serious incidents are also known, when an animal literally besieged a hunting lodge - sometimes for almost a week! - and did not let people out of there. Cases of aggression from a bear disturbed in its winter den are quite common. However, such “dates” can be easily avoided by knowing the bears’ favorite places in a given forest (bears are quite conservative in choosing areas for dens) and avoiding them as far as possible. A meeting with a wolf is fraught with significant danger, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than to attack. The famous Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat wonderfully described such a sudden meeting. “...We collided nose to nose. We were separated by some two meters... We silently stared at each other. I don’t know what was going on in his massive skull, but my head was filled with a swarm of disturbing thoughts. The amber eyes of a seasoned tundra wolf gazed directly at me; Apparently, he was heavier than me and, undoubtedly, had a much better command of unarmed fighting techniques.

For several seconds neither of us moved, we continued to hypnotize each other with our gaze. The wolf was the first to break the spell. With a leap that would have done honor even to Russian dancers, he soared into the air and took off running..."

In recent years, experts have noted that people encounter wolves in forest areas more often than before. Fans of forest walks, and especially long routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden meeting with a wolf or fox that has rabies. Here an attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its “stupor”, angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, and immediate, literally on the spot, attack. The beast sometimes seems to sputter with saliva; There is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. You should not approach them under any circumstances - they may bite, and then you will have to undergo long-term treatment.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going into the forest it would be useful to obtain information from the SES about outbreaks of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

In recent years, due to the emergence of numerous holiday villages, another serious problem has arisen - feral dogs that gather in packs, often large ones. Animals are very aggressive, secretive and cunning (learned from humans). A meeting with a flock is extremely dangerous in the same cases as with other predators. If you are attacked by such dogs, we advise you to use a unique method of protection. Since many of these animals still remember communicating with humans, a sharp and imperative shout of “no!” often helps.

Wild ungulates common to Russian forests - elk, wild boar, deer, roe deer - are much more timid and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, move away from humans. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger. There are known cases when an elk kept a tree “under siege” for hours, on which an unlucky tourist or hunter was escaping from an angry elk.

How to avoid an unwanted encounter with a wild animal? Perhaps the best way is to reduce the likelihood of a collision to a minimum. Avoid traveling to areas where encountering a predator is common; do not appear in the favorite habitats of dangerous animals. If you do go on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, trampled grass and undergrowth, stripped bark on trees, droppings, feeding sites, and sometimes the remains of prey. Wolves, being the first to sense a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, loud barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially the young. During the rut or feeding, wild boars behave so noisily that it is not so difficult to notice them. You should avoid animal trails, difficult to pass, overgrown with bushes and littered forest areas, and windbreaks. In such places there is a high probability of encountering an animal, and it is also extremely inconvenient to retreat here. When going into the forest (preferably not alone), be sure to tell about where you are going to go and when you expect to return.

But what to do if an unpleasant date does happen? First of all, don’t lose your presence of mind! Try not to panic. Experienced hunters believe that an animal senses when a person is afraid of it; your fear will only spur aggression, i.e. The animal's instinct to attack a weaker opponent may be triggered. No sudden movements or shrill screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare, and not attract, the animal in this way. However, sometimes the scream actually confuses the animal and even sends it into a stampede. Stories are told of how a man, with his arms outstretched, ran screaming towards a bear, who retreated in fear. However, not everyone is capable of such actions!

When meeting a bear or tiger, you should not turn your back to the animal: he will regard such a position as proof of your weakness. A person naturally tries to run away from danger, but in this case, flight is good only if you are absolutely sure that you will reach a safer place (for example, a hunting lodge, a tree, a car, etc.) faster than a predator, and to do this It is extremely difficult in forest conditions. or it is almost impossible to escape a tiger; Moreover, for all predators, the flight of the prey only fuels the desire to pursue it. Experts, as the best way out of the situation, advise freezing in place, and then, as calmly as possible, backing away, and, only having moved 10-15 meters away, also slowly, sideways. At these moments, it is very important not to provoke the predator into aggressive behavior with excessive courage or, on the contrary, cowardice, and not to aggravate the situation, which at the very beginning is more neutral than downright dangerous. The experience of unexpected encounters with a tiger shows that in approximately 80% of cases the animal does not show aggression at the first moment, behaves “cognitively”, does not leave the person, but does not approach him either. The tiger can simply stand still and look in the direction of the stranger, and then walk away with dignity.

Experienced people do not advise looking directly into the eyes of a predator for a long time, since such a look (and a person, numb with fear, usually looks intently at the animal) can be perceived as competition and will only spur aggression.

When retreating, you need to carefully monitor the animal’s facial expressions in order to predict its intentions. A bear, for example, has a good “indicator” of a relatively calm state - erect ears. If the ears are pressed to the head, the fur on the back of the neck stands on end, the animal bares its teeth, trembles, and hunches a little, it means that it is really angry and ready to attack.

When you are faced with a large predator nose to nose, remember that there is a certain critical distance, at which the situation will still remain fairly neutral and the animal will most likely not dare to attack first, but will only scare you. If the distance is less than critical, then the predator may feel driven into a corner and go ahead, i.e. rush at a person. Therefore, if you suddenly find yourself, for example, directly in front of a bear, move a few meters to the side, maintaining a critical distance.

While in the forest, it is sometimes worth making your presence known (by voice or other means), as if warning the animals and giving them the opportunity to leave. In general, if a person is not hunting, the most correct thing for him is to walk noisily, talk loudly or hum. But the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract an extremely dangerous predator, the connecting rod bear.

Experienced hunters also talk about more “exotic” methods of behavior at critical moments of an encounter with a predator. This, for example, is “persuading” an animal: a person began to talk affectionately about something and a calm intonation softened the aggressive tension of the animal. In some cases, objects thrown aside helped - a backpack, a hat, a sweater, food; they distracted the predator's attention and gave them time to retreat. Another way to weaken the aggression of the beast is to pretend to be dead, as some small animals do. It is recommended to fall on your side, curl up into a ball if possible, reducing the surface of your body, and hide your head. It is likely that the animal will sniff you for a long time, touch you, or even move you - you need to be prepared for this and be patient.

To avoid direct contact with a predator, all methods are good, since an unprepared person has very little chance of emerging victorious in a fight with a tiger, wolf or bear. Meanwhile, experts note that hand-to-hand combat with a brown bear more often ends in serious injuries than death on the spot; the animal is more likely to “remember” but not kill. There were cases when hunters, having fallen into the arms of a bear, acted so decisively and courageously (any means were used, including blows to the sensitive nose and bites!) that the animal retreated.

And yet, let us remind you once again: there are no rules of behavior that would guarantee absolute safety for an unarmed person when meeting a large predator. The most important thing is to try to avoid encounters with wild animals.

Another type of emergency situation is careless handling of forest inhabitants that are quite harmless at first glance. Unfortunately, such emergencies happen much more often than attacks by large animals, and people themselves are primarily to blame for them.

From this point of view, many forest animals can be considered potentially dangerous. First of all, this is a vast and diverse group of poisonous animals.

Under certain circumstances, arachnids and insects, especially biting and stinging ones, pose a danger - beetles, ants, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, butterflies. These small, mobile animals, almost invisible in dense grass or bushes, can penetrate the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, which can lead to serious injuries, especially in children. Rests and overnight stays during the hike should be done away from places where social insects gather; We also advise you to carefully check your clothing. Explain to young children that it is strictly forbidden to pick up insects, much less in the mouth, since even the “kindest” beetle will always have means of defense - spines, “jaws,” an unpleasant odor, caustic substances, etc.

Despite large-scale preventive measures, there is a threat of infection with serious diseases, the carriers of which can be forest insects. Here we should mention first of all flies. They carry pathogens (causative agents of dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria) on their tongues and proboscis. These insects pose a particular danger near forest waste dumps. People “owe” such serious diseases as tick-borne encephalitis and piroplasmosis to ticks. No less dangerous are fleas (they carry plague and tularemia) and blood-sucking mosquitoes, which not only cause pain with their bites, but also carry a number of pathogens. Perhaps the simplest and most accessible method of preventing bites from these animals is a thorough examination of open areas of the body immediately after each visit to the forest, as well as the use of a wide arsenal of modern insect repellents. And of course - preventive vaccinations, thanks to which the frequency and severity of diseases has significantly decreased.

Small and medium-sized predatory mammals belonging to the mustelid family (badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten, black polecat, European mink, otter) are harmless only at first glance. Remember that mustelids, although relatively small in size, are still the most real and very energetic predators, capable of active and aggressive defense; When protecting young animals, they are able to bite seriously. There are known cases when a badger, disturbed in its hole, severely bit hunting dogs and the hunters themselves, which the first one would never do in a chance meeting with a person. Some animals (for example, weasel, polecat, ermine) are not without curiosity and willingly visit populated areas, and in the forest they can approach tourist sites, especially at night.

It is useful to once again recall such an “iron” rule of behavior in the forest, such as the prohibition of destroying animal shelters - burrows, nests, etc. A person who violates this rule not only behaves unworthily towards our smaller brothers, but also exposes his own health and life to serious danger, since in the face of the loss of his own home or the death of his offspring, the most peace-loving creature “becomes wild.”

In conditions of limited visibility, especially at night, any animal, even a harmless one, can greatly frighten, especially a child, with a loud cry, a sudden sharp movement, or simply by its appearance (for example, non-venomous snakes). People sometimes had heart attacks from fright when not only such a large bird as a capercaillie, but even a hazel grouse suddenly took off right from under their feet. The sharp and noisy take-off of birds is nothing more than active defense, designed to put the predator into a momentary state of shock. In the forest, with relative isolation, fear is much more difficult to bear and sometimes leads to severe stress and psychological trauma. Here you always need to be internally prepared for fear, for the fact that you can hear or see something “scary”.

Study the habits of wild animals, then the fear of them will recede, and the forest inhabitants will graciously accept you into their “company”.

We all go to the forest, go there to pick mushrooms, berries, nuts and just walk around to breathe fresh air, however, we must remember that various dangers may await us in the forest.

In this episode of the Live Healthy program, Elena Malysheva and her assistants tell you what to watch out for while in the forest.

Danger #1 - Snakes
Snakes are known to be both non-venomous and poisonous. Therefore, you need to be careful with them. Snakes themselves do not attack people; in order for a snake to attack, you need to anger it, for example, by stepping on it.

Signs of a snake bite are 2 large spots from the snake's teeth, the bitten area turns red and swells.

What to do if bitten by a snake

1. As quickly as possible, above the bite site, apply a tourniquet; any car first aid kit is equipped with such tourniquets; if you don’t have one at hand, it doesn’t matter, a large handkerchief or any other piece of fabric will do. This way you will block the blood flow and the poison will not be able to quickly spread throughout the body. Be sure to remember or write down what time you applied the tourniquet, because... You can apply a tourniquet for no more than 1.5-2 hours, otherwise you can get gangrene.
2. Everywhere in the literature it is described - When bitten by a snake, you need to cling to the wound and suck out the poison- should not be doing that. If you have oral cavity there are inflamed or bleeding areas, you risk becoming a victim of poison yourself.
   If you have a glass bottle on hand, you can use it to remove the poison from the wound - you need to burn out the air inside it (a burning match, a lighter) to create a vacuum inside the bottle and place it at the site of the bite and the contents of the wound are absorbed there. If you do this quickly and carefully, then everything will work out.
3. Nowadays, very often people take with them portable refrigerators that use ice for cooling. If you have ice on hand, then use it - cover the bitten area with ice, the cold constricts the blood vessels, thereby preventing the spread of poison throughout the body.
4. The victim needs to drink as much as possible more water, it thins the blood, i.e. the volume of circulating blood increases, thereby reducing the concentration of poison in the blood.

How to avoid this danger- very simple, shoes should be made of dense material with high tops, ordinary rubber boots will do, in addition, the top should be with long sleeves, also made of dense fabric. Dressing like this will prevent you from being afraid of snake bites. And of course, watch what you take with your hands and where you step.

Danger #2 - Mushrooms
Unfortunately, the current environmental situation around major cities not the best. Heavy metals and other toxic substances enter the soil. And mushrooms, like a sponge, absorb it all. Therefore, eating even edible mushrooms can cause poisoning. If you like mushroom dishes, then it is better to eat mushrooms that are grown on mushroom farms; it is much safer than eating wild mushrooms.

What to do if you are poisoned by mushrooms
Often inexperienced mushroom pickers, together with edible mushrooms collect and inedible mushrooms, which when consumed cause severe damage to the central nervous system. If this happens, you need to induce vomiting and immediately go to the nearest hospital or medical center.

Danger #3 - Nettle
Nettle, who hasn’t been burned by it? You will rarely meet a person who has not received a nettle burn at least once in his life. However, its burn can provoke a severe allergic reaction in people who suffer from allergies. The leaves and stems of nettle are covered with villi with sacs containing formic acid; when in contact with the skin, these villi pierce the skin and formic acid enters the wound, which causes burning and itching.

What to do if you get a nettle burn

1. Clean and cold water, it reduces the concentration of acid and constricts blood vessels, ice also helps well.
2. You can take an antihistamine and also treat the burned area with hormonal ointment, then the effects of the nettle burn will disappear much faster.