<P> Recent bear attacks on humans have been reported from Junbesi and Langtang National Park in Nepal, and occurred in villages as well as in the surrounding forest . Li Guoxing, the second person in history to have received a facial transplant, was a victim of a black bear attack . Nine people were killed by black bears in Japan between 1979--1989, and more recently, in September 2009 it was reported that a black bear attacked a group of tourists, seriously injuring four, while they were waiting at a bus station in the built - up area of Takayama, Gifu in central Japan . The majority of attacks tend to occur when black bears are encountered suddenly, and in close quarters . Because of this, black bears are generally considered more dangerous than sympatric brown bears, which live in more open spaces and are thus less likely to be surprised by approaching humans . They are also likely to attack when protecting food . </P> <P> As a rule, brown bears seldom attack humans on sight, and usually avoid people . They are, however, unpredictable in temperament, and will attack if they are surprised or feel threatened . Sows with cubs account for the majority of injuries and fatalities in North America . Habituated or food conditioned bears can also be dangerous, as their long - term exposure to humans causes them to lose their natural shyness, and in some cases associate humans with food . Small parties of one or two people are more often attacked than large groups, with no attacks being recorded against parties of more than seven people . In contrast to injuries caused by American black bears, which are usually minor, brown bear attacks tend to result in serious injury and in some cases death . In the majority of attacks resulting in injury, brown bears precede the attack with a growl or huffing sound, and seem to confront humans as they would when fighting other bears: they rise up on their hind legs, and attempt to "disarm" their victims by biting and holding on to the lower jaw to avoid being bitten in turn . Such a bite can be more severe than that of a tiger, and has been known to crush the heads of some human victims . </P> <P> Most attacks occur in the months of July, August and September, the time when the number of outdoor recreationalists, such as hikers or hunters, is higher . People who assert their presence through noises tend to be less vulnerable, as they alert bears to their presence . In direct confrontations, people who run are statistically more likely to be attacked than those who stand their ground . Violent encounters with brown bears usually last only a few minutes, though they can be prolonged if the victims fight back . </P> <P> Attacks on humans are considered extremely rare in the former Soviet Union, though exceptions exist in districts where they are not pursued by hunters . East Siberian brown bears for example tend to be much bolder toward humans than their shyer, more frequently hunted European counterparts . In 2008, a platinum mining compound in the Olyotorsky district of northern Kamchatka was besieged by a group of 30 Kamchatka brown bears that killed two guards and prevented workers from leaving their homes . In Scandinavia, only three fatal attacks were recorded in the 20th century . Due to increasing brown bear population in Turkey, attacks still occur in mountainous areas of Northeastern Turkey . </P>

What type of bear is most dangerous to humans