WEBVTT 00:00:04.933 --> 00:00:07.500 - Hello, bear! 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:08.900 Heyo! 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:10.300 - Heyo, bear! 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:13.933 [indistinct chatter] 00:00:13.933 --> 00:00:16.333 - I think what's cool about the wildlife in Denali 00:00:16.333 --> 00:00:20.000 is that they have this vast uninterrupted ecosystem 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:22.466 that starts up in the glaciers and goes all the way down 00:00:22.466 --> 00:00:25.666 to these low-lying areas. 00:00:25.666 --> 00:00:28.366 just this very broad array of wildlife 00:00:28.366 --> 00:00:33.733 have a whole entire that is capable of sustaining them. 00:00:33.733 --> 00:00:35.166 And it's protected forever, 00:00:35.166 --> 00:00:36.900 so what a cool thing... 00:00:36.900 --> 00:00:38.166 [laughs] 00:00:38.166 --> 00:00:39.333 That we get to walk around in the middle of it 00:00:39.333 --> 00:00:42.633 and witness that. 00:00:48.233 --> 00:00:50.566 - I absolutely love foxes. 00:00:52.800 --> 00:00:56.266 - Ptarmigan have a lot of personality. 00:00:56.266 --> 00:00:58.066 [imitates barking] 00:01:01.833 --> 00:01:04.666 - It's completely raw and unfiltered, 00:01:04.666 --> 00:01:08.766 and the wildlife is such a huge part of that. 00:01:08.766 --> 00:01:10.566 - Seeing a wild animal in the backcountry 00:01:10.566 --> 00:01:12.433 can be an incredible experience, 00:01:12.433 --> 00:01:13.833 but knowing how to behave 00:01:13.833 --> 00:01:15.200 in an encounter scenario 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:17.233 might make all the difference. 00:01:17.233 --> 00:01:19.533 This is bear scat. 00:01:19.533 --> 00:01:20.833 It's a little bit old. 00:01:20.833 --> 00:01:24.233 We know it's bear scat because it's big 00:01:24.233 --> 00:01:27.933 and you can tell what they've been eating. 00:01:27.933 --> 00:01:29.900 - Denali is home to hundreds of black bears 00:01:29.900 --> 00:01:31.500 and grizzly bears. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:33.066 - Bears are omnivores. 00:01:33.066 --> 00:01:35.000 They eat anything from roots and berries 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:36.666 to caribou and moose. 00:01:36.666 --> 00:01:40.300 - I really like bears, because they're so... 00:01:40.300 --> 00:01:41.800 they're so individual. 00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:43.333 There's intent. 00:01:43.333 --> 00:01:46.400 Like, you can tell that they're thinking about things. 00:01:49.033 --> 00:01:51.033 - When we go out on any hike in Denali, 00:01:51.033 --> 00:01:53.233 we remember the two basic rules: 00:01:53.233 --> 00:01:55.633 stay alert and keep your distance. 00:01:55.633 --> 00:01:57.833 Do you see the little whit specks? 00:01:57.833 --> 00:01:59.733 - Always keep at least 300 yards, 00:01:59.733 --> 00:02:01.666 or three football fields, 00:02:01.666 --> 00:02:03.566 between you and any bear. 00:02:10.433 --> 00:02:12.700 - What I do when I'm traveling in the backcountry 00:02:12.700 --> 00:02:15.800 is always go through what's the worst thing that could happen 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:18.433 right now and how would I react to it. 00:02:18.433 --> 00:02:20.133 - Scenario number one: 00:02:20.133 --> 00:02:23.800 what if as we're hiking we spot a bear out in the distance? 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:26.000 - As soon as I see a bear, 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.366 I'm thinking, "All right, how do I need to change my route?" 00:02:31.633 --> 00:02:33.166 - It looks like it's in a cheeky place. 00:02:33.166 --> 00:02:35.433 - It is. 00:02:35.433 --> 00:02:37.266 If the bear is still far away 00:02:37.266 --> 00:02:39.300 and hasn't noticed us yet, 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:40.766 we simply avoid it. 00:02:40.766 --> 00:02:42.200 We take a different path that gives the bear 00:02:42.200 --> 00:02:44.200 plenty of space, keeping an eye out 00:02:44.200 --> 00:02:46.333 to make sure the bear doesn't move into our new route. 00:02:50.233 --> 00:02:51.666 - If the bear is still far away 00:02:51.666 --> 00:02:53.400 but has noticed us, 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.200 we would wave our arms over our heads 00:02:55.200 --> 00:02:57.133 and back away slowly, 00:02:57.133 --> 00:02:59.233 making it clear that we are retreating. 00:02:59.233 --> 00:03:01.666 We are going to make ourselves look as big as possible. 00:03:01.666 --> 00:03:03.533 staying pretty close together. 00:03:03.533 --> 00:03:05.733 And we're gonna speak in a low, calm voice 00:03:05.733 --> 00:03:08.133 to let the bear know that we're not threatening. 00:03:08.133 --> 00:03:09.966 - At this point, we don't yell or shout 00:03:09.966 --> 00:03:11.933 to draw attention to ourselves. 00:03:14.733 --> 00:03:17.733 - Their number one sense is their sense of smell, 00:03:17.733 --> 00:03:20.300 and so that's usually how they know that you're coming. 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:22.533 You know, they can smell you from a mile away. 00:03:22.533 --> 00:03:24.466 This is a really, really windy park, 00:03:24.466 --> 00:03:26.800 and so if you're on the other side of the wind, 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:29.366 you can very easily sneak up on bears. 00:03:29.366 --> 00:03:30.900 So making a lot of noise, 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:33.000 letting bears know that we're coming 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.000 is number one. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.966 - Heyo, bear! 00:03:36.966 --> 00:03:39.000 - Coming through! - Hello, bear! 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:40.166 - Scenario number two: 00:03:40.166 --> 00:03:42.200 encountering a bear at close range. 00:03:45.066 --> 00:03:46.333 - Bears, especially grizzlies, 00:03:46.333 --> 00:03:50.266 are so complex. 00:03:50.266 --> 00:03:52.433 They're going to base their reaction 00:03:52.433 --> 00:03:55.233 on each individual situation. 00:03:55.233 --> 00:04:00.266 - I look down, and maybe 100 feet away from us 00:04:00.266 --> 00:04:02.300 is this sow and her two yearlings 00:04:02.300 --> 00:04:03.866 looking up at us. 00:04:05.333 --> 00:04:07.066 The first thing we remind ourselves 00:04:07.066 --> 00:04:10.533 is to never drop our packs and never run. 00:04:10.533 --> 00:04:12.700 Running might trigger a predatory instinct, 00:04:12.700 --> 00:04:15.933 causing the bear to chase after us. 00:04:15.933 --> 00:04:19.900 - Staying calm is really important. 00:04:19.900 --> 00:04:21.900 - We wave our arms above our head 00:04:21.900 --> 00:04:25.900 and speak in a loud voice to indentify ourselves as human. 00:04:25.900 --> 00:04:28.766 We group together to look bigger. 00:04:28.766 --> 00:04:31.766 So I'm behind Diana with my trekking poles extended 00:04:31.766 --> 00:04:33.100 and, like, trying to look big, 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.333 and Diana is in front of me with her bear spray out 00:04:36.333 --> 00:04:37.666 and her hand sort of shaking. 00:04:37.666 --> 00:04:40.533 We talked to the bear and back away slowly, 00:04:40.533 --> 00:04:42.900 facing the bear at all times. 00:04:42.900 --> 00:04:45.766 If the bear follows, we stop and hold our ground. 00:04:45.766 --> 00:04:47.100 Hey, bear, go! 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:48.366 - Yeah! 00:04:48.366 --> 00:04:49.666 - Though bears don't make a habit 00:04:49.666 --> 00:04:52.033 of attacking humans, they can pose a threat 00:04:52.033 --> 00:04:53.300 in certain situations. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:55.266 - I stepped toward him and turned to look 00:04:55.266 --> 00:04:56.600 and saw this bear just running 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.666 as fast as he could away from us. 00:04:58.666 --> 00:05:00.866 He ran off, and then turned around, 00:05:00.866 --> 00:05:03.433 and then squared up to charge us. 00:05:03.433 --> 00:05:05.933 - Scenario number three: 00:05:05.933 --> 00:05:07.766 if a bear charges. 00:05:07.766 --> 00:05:10.300 A bear might charge if we've taken it by surprise 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:15.300 or it feels threatened and is protecting its food or young. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:18.033 The charge is usually designed to intimidate us, 00:05:18.033 --> 00:05:20.866 not to provoke a fight. 00:05:20.866 --> 00:05:22.333 - The bear had squared up. 00:05:22.333 --> 00:05:23.800 It was gnashing his teeth, 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:25.100 and we had to convince him 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:29.466 that we were not a threat, 00:05:29.466 --> 00:05:32.833 but also don't mess with us. 00:05:32.833 --> 00:05:35.633 If a bear charges, we will not run. 00:05:35.633 --> 00:05:37.866 We stand our ground, yell loudly, 00:05:37.866 --> 00:05:40.400 and wave our hands, pulling out our bear spray 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:43.033 so that we're ready to use it. 00:05:43.033 --> 00:05:45.866 Often the bear will veer off or stop its charge, 00:05:45.866 --> 00:05:49.300 but if the charge continues and the bear is in range, 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:53.100 it's time to use our bear spray. 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:54.366 - You shouldn't have it buried in your pack 00:05:54.366 --> 00:05:55.900 because you're gonna need it right away. 00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:58.233 - Once you've used it, leave the area immediately 00:05:58.233 --> 00:05:59.700 because bears and other wildlife 00:05:59.700 --> 00:06:04.233 are gonna be really curious about the smell that this has. 00:06:04.233 --> 00:06:05.666 - Our response in a bear attack 00:06:05.666 --> 00:06:09.066 partly depends on what type of bear is attacking, 00:06:09.066 --> 00:06:10.633 so it's important to know the difference 00:06:10.633 --> 00:06:12.533 between a grizzly bear and a black bear. 00:06:12.533 --> 00:06:16.033 - Grizzly bears have these dished faces. 00:06:16.033 --> 00:06:17.633 They have these big huge heads 00:06:17.633 --> 00:06:20.066 with, like, a dished-in nose, 00:06:20.066 --> 00:06:22.866 and then they have this big muscular hump, 00:06:22.866 --> 00:06:24.900 and it's because they're digging up roots all the time 00:06:24.900 --> 00:06:28.366 or digging after ground squirrels. 00:06:28.366 --> 00:06:30.000 - They have long straight claws 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.700 and short rounded ears. 00:06:32.700 --> 00:06:35.466 Black bears have no shoulder hump. 00:06:35.466 --> 00:06:37.033 They have a straight snout, 00:06:37.033 --> 00:06:39.533 taller ears, and shorter claws. 00:06:39.533 --> 00:06:41.800 Black bears have a longer snout. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:43.666 They have kind of a Roman nose, 00:06:43.666 --> 00:06:45.433 and it's hard to use color 00:06:45.433 --> 00:06:48.800 to discern the two. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:51.033 Black bears tend to live in forested areas of the park, 00:06:51.033 --> 00:06:53.533 whereas grizzlies live in the open tundra 00:06:53.533 --> 00:06:57.566 and are often found along gravel bars and streams. 00:06:57.566 --> 00:07:01.433 Grizzly bears, they're just trying to preserve themselves, 00:07:01.433 --> 00:07:04.333 so if they see you as a threat, 00:07:04.333 --> 00:07:07.266 then they're going to try to convince you, like, 00:07:07.266 --> 00:07:09.066 "You don't want to mess with this." 00:07:09.066 --> 00:07:10.600 - Scenario number 4: 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:13.933 what if the bear is about to strike? 00:07:13.933 --> 00:07:15.533 If a grizzly bear is about to strike, 00:07:15.533 --> 00:07:18.933 we drop to the ground and lay flat on our stomachs. 00:07:18.933 --> 00:07:21.233 Or we can curl into a ball with our packs, 00:07:21.233 --> 00:07:22.633 protecting our spines 00:07:22.633 --> 00:07:27.033 and our hands protecting the back of our necks. 00:07:27.033 --> 00:07:29.700 - If you curl in a ball and play dead, 00:07:29.700 --> 00:07:31.800 they're gonna mess with you for a little while 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.366 and then hopefully leave you alone 00:07:33.366 --> 00:07:35.966 once they realize you're not going to hurt them. 00:07:35.966 --> 00:07:37.233 - But if the bear attack escalates 00:07:37.233 --> 00:07:38.866 into biting and scratching, 00:07:38.866 --> 00:07:42.033 that's when we fight back. 00:07:42.033 --> 00:07:43.666 If a black bear is about to strike, 00:07:43.666 --> 00:07:45.066 we immediately fight back. 00:07:45.066 --> 00:07:47.600 For black bears, we do everything we can 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:50.600 before an attack to frighten the bear away. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:53.133 - With black bears, be really aggressive 00:07:53.133 --> 00:07:56.166 and throw rocks, yell, let them know 00:07:56.166 --> 00:07:58.200 that you're this mean, scary thing. 00:07:58.200 --> 00:08:01.033 Whereas with grizzly bears, it's more of a mind game. 00:08:01.033 --> 00:08:04.666 You want to appear big enough to not attack, 00:08:04.666 --> 00:08:08.000 but you also want to look like you are not a threat to them. 00:08:13.933 --> 00:08:18.133 - This right here is one giant bear dig. 00:08:18.133 --> 00:08:19.933 The bear just going to town, 00:08:19.933 --> 00:08:23.266 probably digging for ground squirrels. 00:08:23.266 --> 00:08:26.000 We were cooking and a bear walked basically straight 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:27.900 into our camp. 00:08:27.900 --> 00:08:29.433 Scenario number five: 00:08:29.433 --> 00:08:33.900 what if a bear approaches us while we are cooking? 00:08:33.900 --> 00:08:35.333 If a bear comes to our cook site 00:08:35.333 --> 00:08:37.033 while we're in the process of making food, 00:08:37.033 --> 00:08:39.800 we quickly reseal our food in a plastic bag, 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:41.833 place it in the bear resistant food container, 00:08:41.833 --> 00:08:45.033 and lock it. 00:08:45.033 --> 00:08:47.766 We grab any pots that don't fit into the bear camp, 00:08:47.766 --> 00:08:49.733 and with pot in hand, back away, 00:08:49.733 --> 00:08:52.533 leaving the locked container for the bear to investigate. 00:08:55.900 --> 00:08:58.133 My boyfriend woke up in the morning to the shadow 00:08:58.133 --> 00:09:01.166 of a bear on the tent wall, 00:09:01.166 --> 00:09:05.366 and he was like, you know, "There's a bear right outside." 00:09:05.366 --> 00:09:07.500 - Scenario number six: 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:09.566 what if we encounter a bear or a wolf 00:09:09.566 --> 00:09:11.866 while at our campsite? 00:09:11.866 --> 00:09:14.833 If a bear or wolf approaches the campsite, 00:09:14.833 --> 00:09:17.066 we wave our arms and speak in a loud voice, 00:09:17.066 --> 00:09:18.566 and if it's convenient, 00:09:18.566 --> 00:09:20.500 we shake the tent. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:22.700 If the animal continues to come back 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:24.266 or has damaged our gear, 00:09:24.266 --> 00:09:26.933 we'll have to immediately leave the area. 00:09:26.933 --> 00:09:28.966 - Hey, bear. 00:09:28.966 --> 00:09:30.700 - Coming through the brush, bear! 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:32.500 - You're out there with the animals, 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:36.533 and sometimes they do walk right past you. 00:09:36.533 --> 00:09:40.033 And so those experiences do really get at you 00:09:40.033 --> 00:09:43.633 in your core. 00:09:43.633 --> 00:09:47.066 - Wolves are hands down my favorite animals in Denali. 00:09:47.066 --> 00:09:51.833 They, to me, represent what wilderness is. 00:09:51.833 --> 00:09:53.766 Scenario number seven: 00:09:53.766 --> 00:09:55.866 what if we encounter a wolf on your trip 00:09:55.866 --> 00:09:57.266 into the backcountry? 00:10:00.066 --> 00:10:01.900 Denali is home to several wolf packs, 00:10:01.900 --> 00:10:05.066 and it's a great place to see wolves in the wild. 00:10:05.066 --> 00:10:06.833 I was way up high on this ridgeline 00:10:06.833 --> 00:10:08.566 looking down on the gravel bar. 00:10:08.566 --> 00:10:11.866 I saw a whole pack of wolves hunting, 00:10:11.866 --> 00:10:13.433 and that was amazing to see that. 00:10:13.433 --> 00:10:15.833 If we do see a wolf, we won't run. 00:10:15.833 --> 00:10:18.200 We'll wave our arms above our heads 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:19.733 and talk in a loud voice. 00:10:19.733 --> 00:10:22.766 We'll group together to make ourselves look bigger. 00:10:22.766 --> 00:10:25.633 A wolf has never aggressively approached a person 00:10:25.633 --> 00:10:27.100 in this park. 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:31.133 But if it did, then you would want to stand your ground 00:10:31.133 --> 00:10:34.000 and not run, because a wolf is still a predator, 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.433 so running away can trigger a chase instinct. 00:10:36.433 --> 00:10:39.600 - [shouting] 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:42.166 - Heyo, moose! 00:10:42.166 --> 00:10:44.533 - Hey, mooses! 00:10:44.533 --> 00:10:47.266 - The moose habitat is generally, you know, 00:10:47.266 --> 00:10:49.666 a place with a lot of vegetation like willows, 00:10:49.666 --> 00:10:51.466 but we've got some tracks here. 00:10:51.466 --> 00:10:53.866 Most moose in the park live in forested areas, 00:10:53.866 --> 00:10:57.433 where they can be hard to spot from the trees. 00:10:57.433 --> 00:10:59.666 Those moose generally keep to themselves, 00:10:59.666 --> 00:11:02.766 they can become aggressive if approached too closely. 00:11:02.766 --> 00:11:04.400 - The moose's ears were kind of, like, going back, 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:07.633 and his back heels started sort of stomping in the ground, 00:11:07.633 --> 00:11:09.166 and I was like, "Whoa." 00:11:09.166 --> 00:11:11.466 I didn't--I just didn't want to be there anymore. 00:11:11.466 --> 00:11:13.766 - Scenario number eight: 00:11:13.766 --> 00:11:15.900 what if we come across a moose while hiking 00:11:15.900 --> 00:11:18.733 and it runs at us? 00:11:18.733 --> 00:11:20.866 In late September, early October, 00:11:20.866 --> 00:11:22.166 during their breeding season, 00:11:22.166 --> 00:11:24.833 the male bulls can be especially aggressive. 00:11:24.833 --> 00:11:27.933 - In early spring, mothers protecting their young 00:11:27.933 --> 00:11:29.866 are prone to attack and should be treated 00:11:29.866 --> 00:11:31.633 with extreme caution. 00:11:31.633 --> 00:11:35.833 - We should always be at least 25 yards away from a moose. 00:11:35.833 --> 00:11:37.133 Heyo, moose! 00:11:39.866 --> 00:11:41.800 If we encounter a moose at close range, 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:43.533 we run. 00:11:43.533 --> 00:11:46.166 We dodge behind large trees, cars, or structures 00:11:46.166 --> 00:11:49.966 to put a barrier between us and the angry animal. 00:11:49.966 --> 00:11:51.366 If we're caught in the open, 00:11:51.366 --> 00:11:53.300 we should run in a zigzag pattern, 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:56.500 dodging and changing direction often. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:59.866 A moose will chase us to get us out of its space. 00:11:59.866 --> 00:12:01.633 Once we're far enough away, 00:12:01.633 --> 00:12:04.966 it should leave us alone. 00:12:04.966 --> 00:12:09.233 Moose are not predators and don't have a chase instinct. 00:12:09.233 --> 00:12:11.366 - You need to pay attention to how wildlife 00:12:11.366 --> 00:12:13.000 is reacting to you. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:16.266 If wildlife are changing their behavior because of you, 00:12:16.266 --> 00:12:17.800 you're too close. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:19.433 - They're just going about their lives, 00:12:19.433 --> 00:12:20.800 just like you are, 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:23.133 and you need to be aware, 00:12:23.133 --> 00:12:24.800 you don't want to get too close, 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:28.533 but you shouldn't be afraid to go hiking here.