A hunter was attacked by a grizzly bear south of Cochrane, Alberta, on Thursday afternoon, as reported by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. The survivor’s hunting partner shot the bear involved in the incident, which is presumed dead, while a second bear, of unknown age, fled the scene after the encounter.
According to STARS air ambulance, a man in his 30s was airlifted from the Springbank area, situated west of Calgary. Although the air ambulance service did not disclose the man’s condition, Alberta Fish and Wildlife confirmed that he survived. The man was initially in serious condition when taken to the hospital but is now reported to be in a non-life-threatening condition as per EMS on Friday.
Bear safety expert Kim Titchener, founder of Bear Safety and More, highlighted the frequency of grizzly bear attacks on hunters during hunting seasons in both Canada and the U.S. She emphasized the importance of changing behaviors to enhance safety while engaging in outdoor activities like hunting, biking, trail running, or camping.
Titchener explained that hunters often move quietly through the wilderness, potentially leading to unexpected bear encounters as they can inadvertently attract carnivores by mimicking sounds of prey species. She stressed the need for vigilance and caution to minimize such encounters.
As bears are preparing to hibernate in the upcoming weeks, they remain active in search of vegetation to feed on and fatten up for winter. Titchener warned that grizzly bears are still present on the landscape despite the approaching hibernation period.
The incident near Calgary is not uncommon, according to Titchener, who cited previous fatal bear attacks in Mountain View County. She mentioned that historically, grizzly bears roamed across Alberta and the prairie environment, and the habitat is gradually being reclaimed by bears.
While Alberta Fish and Wildlife did not provide specific details about the second bear that fled, Titchener speculated that the two bears involved were likely a mother-cub pair. Authorities will be collecting DNA samples from the survivor to confirm the identity of the bear shot during the encounter.
The mauling incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks of outdoor activities in bear country and the importance of taking precautions to ensure safety.