How to Survive a Tiger Attack

If you unexpectedly find yourself close to a tiger without any barrier to safely observe it, you're definitely in a perilous situation. Always steer clear of areas where tigers might be present. In the unfortunate event of encountering one, follow a few crucial steps to reduce the risk of being attacked and know what to do if the tiger begins its assault.

Try to remain calm and slowly back away. If you notice a tiger lurking or hear it growling, signaling an impending attack, stay composed. Avoid making direct eye contact, but keep your body facing the tiger. Resist the urge to turn your back and run; instead, step back cautiously.

• Continue retreating until the tiger is no longer visible, then turn and quickly exit the area.

Make yourself appear larger. Try to project courage. No matter what, do not run. Running not only serves no purpose but also encourages the tiger to attack. If your actions inadvertently prompt the tiger to chase you, the risk of an attack increases, even if it initially had no intention to do so. While backing away slowly, stand as tall as possible.

Threaten and scare the tiger with sound. Simple noises can scare the tiger if it hasn't heard them before. Make noise with anything you have, especially if those objects produce loud or strange sounds.

• If you have a handgun, fire it into the air to intimidate the tiger.
• If you have flares, light one and hold it out in front of you.
• Clash metal or glass objects together.
• If you want to shout at the tiger, shout as loudly as you can. However, if your voice betrays fear, it may provoke the tiger into attacking.

Do whatever you can to survive. Once the tiger begins its attack, it will not stop. Continue making noise and use anything you have to shield yourself and fight back for self-defense. Avoid playing dead; if the tiger intends to kill and eat you, it will do so without hesitation. Remember, the best chance of survival is to make the tiger retreat, so you must either scare it off or injure it.

• If you are lucky enough to survive an attack, try to stop the bleeding and seek medical help as quickly as possible.

Avoid approaching a loose tiger. If you encounter a tiger that has escaped its enclosure, do not assume it is calm or friendly toward humans. Captive tigers can become easily agitated in unfamiliar environments and may quickly turn aggressive toward people.

Do not challenge the tiger in any way. Avoid confronting a tiger or any large animal. A tiger will respond to aggression with aggression and will defend itself by attacking. Do not throw anything at the tiger or attempt to strike it.

• If you must defend someone else from a tiger, use whatever you can to strike the tiger with full force.
• Scream constantly to intimidate it and distract it from the victim.

Keep away from older or injured tigers. Even though an old or injured tiger may seem weak and in need of help, they remain highly dangerous. Exercise extreme caution, even when encountering a tiger in poor health.

• In the wild, you are more likely to come across a tiger in bad health, as they can no longer hunt effectively and will target easier prey, such as livestock.
• This causes them to approach humans more frequently than usual.

Do not approach tiger cubs. Regardless of how cute or endearing they may seem, you should never approach tiger cubs. A mother tiger’s protective instincts are fierce, and she will attack if she feels her cubs are in danger. Never approach or interact with tiger cubs in any way.

• In the wild, tiger cubs are rarely seen alone as they are closely guarded by their mothers. So, if you spot a cub wandering by itself, it doesn’t mean the mother is far off.

Always travel with a guide in areas where tigers roam. While tigers can only be found in the wild in a few places around the world, these locations sometimes allow tourists to visit. If you're planning to visit a place where tigers roam freely, make sure to hire a guide to ensure your safety.

• Wildlife organizations that prioritize animal health usually offer advice on how to stay safe and avoid dangerous situations in certain areas.

Remain still and silent if you spot a tiger before it sees you. If the tiger hasn't noticed your presence yet, try to leave the area without being detected. Any movement could attract the tiger’s attention, so wait for the tiger to move away before cautiously heading to safety, ideally in the opposite direction of the tiger’s movement.

Avoid accidentally intruding on a tiger's territorial markers. In simple terms, don't urinate in a tiger's territory. Doing so could be interpreted as an aggressive act by the tiger, which might then perceive you as a threat. Be sure to hydrate and relieve yourself before entering the tiger's domain.

Wear a double-sided mask. If you visit places like the Ganges Plains in India, where tiger attacks on humans are more frequent, consider wearing a double-sided mask. The mask worn at the back of your head will deceive the tiger, which is known for stalking its prey from behind.

• By giving the illusion that you have eyes at the back of your head, you could avoid becoming the tiger's next meal.
• Studies show that tigers tend not to attack individuals wearing double-sided masks.