Behavior in encounter with wild animals

ein Feldhase in einer Wiese © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de

Hiking and walking are very popular. If you are out and about in nature, you may well come across an animal. How should you behave in such a situation?

What you need to know

Encounters with wild animals are exciting, instructive and touching, but sometimes also not without danger. For example, an injured animal may react aggressively, a sick animal may be at risk of infection, or a mother animal may want to protect her supposedly threatened offspring.

Therefore: Show respect and tolerance towards the animals, which ultimately only follow their natural instinct.
How to behave if you encounter an apparently abandoned, injured, helpless or sick wild animal, you can read in the leaflet Keep away from wild animals!".

The general rules for encounters with wildlife are:

  • Treat animals with respect.
  • Keep calm and stay collected.
  • Keep your distance.
  • Respect warning signals.
  • Stand still, pull back slowly and calmly. Avoid noises and hectic movements.
  • Give the animal a place to retreat.
  • Always leash dogs when walking. Dogs follow their hunting instinct and are perceived as a danger by wild animals!
  • Never feed wild animals.
  • If the animal does not retreat on its own, make yourself tall and speak loudly to the animal. (e.g. when encountering a wolf).
two fox cubs playing © Adobe Stock
During the day, foxes are seen rather rarely.
During the day, foxes are seen rather rarely.
Fallow deer standing in a meadow © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
Fallow deer can be observed in the national park even during the day.
Fallow deer can be observed in the national park even during the day.
Doe © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
Deer are very attentive forest dwellers.
Deer are very attentive forest dwellers.
Wild boars in the water © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
Wild boars are fast runners and good swimmers.
Wild boars are fast runners and good swimmers.
Badger in search of food © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
Badgers are active in the dark.
Badgers are active in the dark.
roaring red stag © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
At the end of summer, red deer court the hinds.
At the end of summer, red deer court the hinds.
a wolf looks towards the camera © naturfotografie-roman-vitt.de
Wolves are very cautious animals.
Wolves are very cautious animals.
eating squirrel © B. Dittrich
Squirrels are very agile.
Squirrels are very agile.
Otter at an ice hole © B. Dittrich
Otters are very rarely seen.
Otters are very rarely seen.
Crane © 1000 Seen - Vitt
Cranes trumpet loudly.
Cranes trumpet loudly.
White-tailed eagle © M. Weigand - Adobe Stock.de
Adult white-tailed eagles can be identified by their bright yellow beaks.
Adult white-tailed eagles can be identified by their bright yellow beaks.