There have been shark attacks and bear attacks in the national parks this summer. Which is more likely to keep you in your car?
At Cape Hatteras National Seashore back in July three shark attacks were reported in one week, though all swimmers survived. A more serious outcome occurred in Yellowstone National Park earlier this month, when a man was apparently killed and partially consumed by a grizzly.
Which incident is more likely to concern you? Would you still go swimming along the Outer Banks? What about hiking in grizzly territory in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, or Glacier national parks?
Comments
since i hike more im always concerned about running into a bear. It happened about two years ago at Yosemite national park. We were walking on a simple path when we heard branches breaking and we saw two bears walking in the opposite direction. They looked at us and kept walking. This september me and my wife are spendig 7 days at sequoia national Park and will be hiking to pear lake to camp out for two nights. Makes me feel a bit uneasy that the park does not allow hikers to carry Bear spray or weapons to defend ourselves when hiking that deep into the forest.
Neither one of these really "worries" me. If you enter the parks with respect for what they represent, know the dangers, heed the warnings, and stay aware of your surroundings, most of the time you're going to be just fine. And then,sometimes things just happen, no matter where you are. No use living life in fear of "what if"!
Sequoia doesn't allow bear spray? Why would that be?
Sharks for sure! There is just something about encountering a deadly predator AND being out of your element that has always terrified me. We camped in Yellowstone last year and had a HUGE grizzly walk through our camp without giving us a second look. Scary, for sure, but nothing like seeing a shark next to you.
I guess I would have to say I'm more concerned about sharks, because I've hiked in grizzly territory many times. If I knew sharks might be in the area I would stay out of the water, at least anything more than waist-deep.
There is no bear song like the Jaws theme. I can't help it - when I go in the ocean, I hear it.
I consider it a special treat to encounter either. Like another poster said, sometimes things just happen, regardless of what you are doing or where.
Well, since I'm afraid of water the shark is more frightening to me. I've encountered grizzlies a few times. They've been quite "polite" as they waited for me to get out of their way.