How to React to a Rabid Wild Animal

A hike in the wilderness can turn into your final hike if you run across a rabid wild animal and don’t immediately get away. Not all rabid animals are foaming at the mouth or named Cujo, so it’s best to avoid any animal acting strangely. Here’s how.

Things You'll Need

• Quick Reflexes but Slow Movements
• Weapon of Sorts

Instructions

How to React to a Rabid Wild Animal

1. Grab the nearest stick, tree trunk, rock or whatever else is near to use as a weapon.

2. Face the animal and walk slowly backwards. Do not try to scare it as it is rabid, confused and no longer afraid.

3. Keeping your front to the animal, continue to distance yourself from it and get out of there!

4. If the animal is primed to attack, do whatever you can to ward it off, even if it means defending yourself with a weapon.

5. Once you are in a safe place, call authorities to report the rabid animal so they can take care of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Now is not the time to be humane.

• If you are bitten or scratched, immediately proceed to the nearest emergency room so you can get rabies shots.