Patterns of Game Animal Attacks on Hunters in Croatia Over a 13-Year Period

Abstract

Hunter-game animal conflicts are occasionally reported from various parts of the world. This case series comprises all 7 game animal attacks on hunters reported to the Croatian Hunting Association over a period of 13 years (1999-2011), covering the entire Croatian territorial area. Seasonally, attacks occurred most frequently in the winter time, when the hunting season is at its peak. The most common attacking animal, representing 5 of 7 cases (71.4%), was the wild boar, and the majority of the attacks happened in the morning. All of our victims were male, with an average age of 51 years (range 26 to 69 years). Six victims sustained a bite wound or wounds and 1 was rammed by the animal. Almost all of our patients (5 of 7, with one unknown) recovered completely and without significant complications.

Penetrating Anorectal Injury Caused by a Wild Boar Attack: A Case Report

“…In fact, we found only 8 reports on 14 patients in the English literature. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] According to these reports, wild boars have a typical attack pattern that leads to unique localization of the injuries. In typical cases, boars first charge, then bite their victims and gouge them with their tusks.…”

“…In typical cases, boars first charge, then bite their victims and gouge them with their tusks. 16 Victims commonly sustain multiple wounds to the posterior thighs: An adult boar's head can be located as high as 70-80 cm, at approximately the level of the thighs of an adult human. Moreover, victims are often attacked from behind while trying to run away from an attacking boar.…”

“…Despite these facts, cases of wild boar injuries have rarely been published in the medical literature, and only a few fatal and nonfatal cases have been reported. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] In this report, we describe the case of a nearly fatal wild boar assault with multiple traumas, including anorectal injury, that occurred in Fukushima prefecture. Our case appears to be one of only a few reported cases of survival after a severe wild boar injury-defined as any internal organ injuries or life-threatening external bleeding 10 -and the first case of anorectal injury caused by a wild boar attack.…”

Fatal Injury Caused by a Ram (Ovis Aries) Attack

“…Animal‐related injuries and fatalities are relatively rare in Croatia, but certain population subgroups are at a higher risk such as hunters for injuries inflicted by wild animals and farmers and agricultural workers by domestic animals . Even with species that are considered docile and nonaggressive, such as sheep, people should get to know individual animals and their behavioral patterns and apply precautions in order to minimize risk and avoid potential injuries.…”

Similarities Between Large Animal-Related and Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Injuries

“…Both domestic and wild animals have been implicated in large animal attacks throughout the United States. [2][3][4][5] Many animal-related injuries inflicted on humans occur in the wilderness. Langley and Morrow reported an average of 157 deaths per year in the United States from animals.…”