Instead, just remember the term "scaredy-cat." Mountain lions are intimidated by loud sounds and bigger animals, so speak firmly and do anything you can to make yourself appear bigger. That would trigger their instinctive prey response and make them pursue or attack you. If you come across a cougar in the wild, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources warns you shouldn't try to run away. But that doesn't mean they don't still pose a threat. Utah State University wildlife specialist Terry Messmer says that mountain lion sightings are rare because they generally try to avoid humans. If that scared you off the hiking trails, don't worry. Maybe you saw the viral video of the Utah man being stalked by a mountain lion (also known as a cougar or puma) for six minutes up Slate Canyon last year. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it's not being aggressive. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph - you cannot outclimb or outrun them.
Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent.ĭon't run away or climb a tree. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. If you do encounter a black bear, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says to do the following: The bear bit the boy while he was sleeping outside in a sleeping bag, but it was scared off when the boy woke up. More recently, a young black bear bit a 13-year-old boy while he was camping at the Dewey Bridge Campground near Moab in August 2019. Tragically, officials found the boy's body nearly 400 yards from the campsite. The worst case was in June 2007 when a black bear ripped an 11-year-old boy from a tent he was sharing with his family in American Fork Canyon. In a recent article, KSL reported that while bear attacks in Utah are rare, they're horrific when they happen. According to Wild Aware Utah, they can range from light blonde to black and every shade of brown. Black bears are Utah's largest predator, but don't be fooled by the name - they aren't always black. You might not think of Utah as a place where bears roam wild and free, but there are thousands of them in the local forests and mountains. If you've been bitten by a mosquito and experience these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of a severe case include a high fever, a severe headache and stiff neck, disorientation, and confusion. Rettler also said that Utah has averaged 12 human cases of West Nile each year since 2009. "Even though the number of human cases has decreased in recent years, it is important to understand that West Nile virus has established itself in mosquito populations in the state." "West Nile virus is a yearly presence in Utah and it isn't going away," said Hannah Rettler, epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health.
In Utah, West Nile virus is your main concern. Aside from being a major annoyance to campers and outdoor enthusiasts, these little pests can also carry serious diseases.
Sometimes the most dangerous living things are the smallest. The Centers for Disease Control reports an annual average of 63 deaths nationally from bee, hornet and wasp stings from 200-2017. Rattlesnakes accounted for five of the other victims and the rest were attributed to unknown insects. Bees or hornets cause 11 of the fatalities in that period. Check out the list below to learn how you can protect yourself (and your loved ones) from potential danger.įrom 1900 to 1990, 28 people in Utah died from venomous stings and bites, according to a report in the Great Basin Naturalist. While some may be obvious, others might surprise you. You may not come face-to-face with a lion or swim in shark-infested waters in the Beehive State, but Utah has its own fair share of dangerous animals. This story is sponsored by Siegfried & Jensen.Ĭrossing paths with wildlife comes with some inherent risks.