Hiker fends off charging bear with axe

A man hiking through the Malá Fatra mountain range in Slovakia narrowly avoided a deadly encounter when he used a small axe to fend off a charging bear protecting her cubs.

The frightening moment, which took place on Friday, March 21, unfolded as Mr Piotr was walking along a forest trail with his dog when he came across the mother bear, her three cubs, and what appeared to be an older juvenile—likely one of her previous offspring still travelling with the group.

In an effort to avoid startling the animals, he began whistling to make his presence known.

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Despite this precaution, the mother bear responded aggressively, flattening her ears and launching into a full-speed charge.

The dramatic confrontation, partially captured on video, showed Piotr quickly positioning himself behind a forked tree for cover.

As the bear lunged at him, he struck her with a compact axe he carries for clearing overgrown trails.

The bear momentarily pulled back but quickly circled around and came at him again. Ready for the second assault, Piotr used his axe—described as being shaped similarly to a shepherd’s chopper—to fend off the animal once more.

After several blows, the bear finally retreated into the forest, with the hiker’s dog barking and giving chase as the mother disappeared into the trees.

Her cubs were later seen following her down the slope.

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The video ended with Piotr spraying bear deterrent into the air, though he later revealed that it had little effect in the heat of the moment.

Speaking to local reporters, he described the terrifying sequence: “She flattened her ears and charged me.

I had bear spray with me, but it didn’t help.

I sprayed it everywhere, but she kept attacking me. So I took out an axe and hit her on the head twice.

I hid behind a tree and every time she attacked, I hit her on the head.

If I didn’t have the axe, she would have killed me on the spot.”

Despite the violent encounter, Piotr emerged without a scratch.

He explained that he routinely brings the axe on hikes to clear paths of low-hanging branches and brush, but he never expected it to save his life.

He also urged fellow nature lovers to be extra vigilant in the coming weeks, noting that bear activity is likely to rise as the animals approach their mating season, increasing the chances of human-wildlife encounters.

The incident has stunned locals, with many praising the hiker’s composure and courage.

“It’s amazing how he didn’t panic,” one person commented.

Another simply said, “Wow, brave guy, hats off.” Others expressed awe at the raw beauty and danger of the region’s wildlife.

“What more can I add. Simply amazing. Lynx, Wolf. Incredible beauty,” one commenter wrote.

Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)

Another added, “Those babies. This is seriously amazing.”

The encounter serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature, especially in regions like northern Slovakia where bear populations are thriving.

Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)

Thanks to quick thinking, a bit of luck, and a well-placed axe, what could have been a fatal attack ended with a man walking away shaken but safe.

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SOURCE: Hiker uses axe to defend himself from charging BEAR | Need To Know