Deep in the mountains, terrifying encounters with wild bears are not uncommon. These bears can climb trees and swim, making them formidable opponents. When encountered, the outcome is often dire, which is why many hikers carry bear spray for protection. However, a harrowing experience by Piotr from Slovakia highlights the limitations of such measures.
According to reports from the Mirror, on March 21, Piotr was walking his dog in the Malá Fatra mountains northeast of Bratislava. He always carried a small axe to clear hanging branches and thick underbrush. As he walked, he suddenly spotted a mother bear accompanied by her cubs and a young adult bear. To avoid startling them, he blew his whistle periodically. However, this tactic seemed ineffective, as the mother bear charged towards him once she became aware of his presence.
"The mother bear lowered her ears and rushed towards me. I had bear spray with me, but it was completely useless," Piotr recounted. He quickly hid behind a tree and frantically swung his axe. The mother bear initially retreated but then circled around and attacked again. Piotr continued to wield his axe, eventually scaring the bear into retreating into the forest, followed by her cubs.
After the ordeal, Piotr reflected, "I sprayed bear spray everywhere, but the mother bear kept attacking me. So, I pulled out my axe and struck her head twice. Without that axe, she would have killed me on the spot." Fortunately, he escaped unscathed.
Piotr's close call serves as a warning to other hikers. He emphasized the importance of caution, especially in the coming months, which mark the bears' mating season. During this time, bears are more likely to appear frequently in the area.
WARNING: BEAR ATTACKED!
A man struck her in the head with an axe!
The incident was captured on a trail camer. #ThisIsSlovakia #bearattack #bear #bears #wildlife #nature #scary pic.twitter.com/Y9rVylrNUD— This Is Slovakia (@ThisIsSlovakia_) March 23, 2025
