When a bear is engrossed in hoovering up termites, he’s not listening very well. If it is too late to retreat without being noticed, call attention to yourself – cough or whistle just loud enough to alert it. It can be a fine balance between protecting life and limb, and enjoying the pleasures of the wild. Should you startle a sloth bear, there is little chance that it will run away. It lashes out with its long earth-ripping claws, with terrible consequences.
