On television, from our sofas, predators can seem fascinating, and in reality, predators such as great white sharks, cougars, and bears are intriguing creatures. However, fear ensues when these animals are reported injuring or killing people. Consequently, retribution or retaliation may occur, but these large predators are often unfairly targeted and misunderstood.

Many conflicts with large predatory animals can be avoided by keeping alert and making your presence known when visiting their environment, or by traveling in groups, or visiting certain areas (or swimming in certain waters) during particular times of the day when these animals are less active. Some hikers use bear bells ^[1] or pepper spray to deter aggressive animals. Also, not feeding wild animals or properly storing food will prevent food conditioning—another problem that results in human-wildlife conflicts.

Furthermore, as habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation increases, conflicts with some animals will undoubtedly increase. Most recently, “a man was attacked by a large black bear . . . in his Aspen home in the latest in a string of violent encounters with the animals this summer in the mountain community.” In Washington, after several eyewitnesses reported seeing a cougar in Seattle’s Discovery Park, the Park was closed. After several days of pursuit, the animal was captured and released in “a remote site in the Cascade foothills of Snohomish County.”

On the east coast, several sightings of great white sharks prompted several beach closings. These sightings are probably the result of an abundant food supply in the area. According to Dr. Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, it’s the seals: “[T]he most motivating factor is the presence of a fairly sizable grey seal colony that has recently rebounded over the last decade in this area. Sharks are finally catching on that there’s a viable and readily available – a food resource for them.”

¹BACK TO POST: Some hikers will use bear bells, though, some folks claim bear bells are merely dinner bells, since they may attract curious animals.

The video below is a CBS News interview with Dr. Skomal. Another interview with Greg Skomal can be found at NPR.

Wildlife officers removed the cougar from Discovery Park, and it was released in the Cascade foothills:

Videos via KOMO News and YouTube

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