Hiker Kills Coyote With Bare Hands
A hiker's recent encounter with a coyote serves as a reminder of the importance of caution and awareness in the outdoors. While exploring trails in the state of Rhode Island, the hiker was attacked by the wild animal. In a remarkable display of self-defense, the hiker managed to suffocate the coyote with his bare hands and received only minor injuries.
However, the incident took a concerning turn when the coyote later tested positive for rabies, a potentially fatal disease that spreads through bites. This was only the third reported case of rabies in Rhode Island coyotes since 1994, highlighting the rarity of such occurrences.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has launched an investigation into the attack, urging residents to be cautious while venturing outdoors, particularly during the coyote mating season, which typically spans from January to March. The DEM advises individuals encountering coyotes to create loud noises and hurl objects to scare them away. It is important not to approach or feed wild animals, as their unpredictable nature can pose a significant threat.
While this incident showcases the hiker's remarkable self-defense skills, it underscores the risks associated with wild animals. Maintaining a safe distance and adhering to recommended precautions come first when exploring natural habitats.
Source: apnews.com, wpri.com, turnto10.com
For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com
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Useful Language
- Encounter (n) - a meeting, especially an unexpected one
- Suffocate (v) - death caused by cutting off oxygen
- Rabies (n) - a disease that causes salivation, strange behavior, paralysis, and potentially death
- Urge (v) - to strongly encourage or advise
- Venture (v) - to go somewhere unfamiliar and possibly dangerous
- Hurl (v) - to throw
- Pose (v) - to present
- Showcase (v) - to present someone’s qualities in a positive way
- Underscore (v) - to emphasize
- Adhere (v) - to follow, obey
Discussion
Discuss the following questions with your partner(s).
- What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
- Do you like to go outside? Why or why not?
- Talk about a beautiful outdoor location in your country.
- Could you have done what the man in the story did? Could you kill a coyote with your bare hands?
- What’s the most dangerous animal that you think you could beat in a fight?
- There are several dangerous animals in the American wilderness. What others have you heard about?
- Is it important to be able to defend yourself? How is your ability in this area?
- Would you consider taking a weapon, like a gun or bear repellent when going hiking in America?
- Have you been bitten by an animal? What happened?
- Have you ever seen a dangerous animal outside of a zoo? Where were you and what did you see?