(UPDATE: July 28 @ 3:25 pm) – The BC Conservation Service (BCOS) investigation into a weekend grizzly bear attack has found that the incident was defensive in nature.
The attack occurred outside of West Creston, BC, near the Kootenay River, and saw a man get attacked by a bear while on an e-bike ride with his wife on Saturday.
As the man’s wife was scaring away one grizzly bear with bear spray, she then noticed another bear attacking her husband.
The man was taken to the hospital with significant injuries and needed surgery.
“Conservation officers are confident that the couple e-biking along the Kootenay River on the weekend likely startled the two bears in a surprise encounter on a corner of the trail, which is bordered by thick brush,” reads a social media post from the BCOS.
“No evidence was found to suggest either bear had been stalking or hunting the couple. There were no reports of bear activity or aggressive bear behaviour in the area prior to the Saturday afternoon attack.”
The BCOS added that the victim, witness and a regional large carnivore specialist were all spoken to and the attack site was assessed.
The regional expert agreed that the bear’s behaviour appeared to be defensive. Due to the defensive nature of the attack, no efforts are being taken to trap or dispatch the bear at this time.
“These people were well-prepared. They had bear spray, had it readily accessible and knew how to use it,” said COS Insp. Dave Webster.
“We’d like to recognize these actions and encourage anyone hiking, biking or recreating in bear country to take similar precautions.”
The trails in the area remain closed as a precautionary measure.
(Original story: July 27 @ 5 pm) – A man had to be taken to the hospital after being attacked by a grizzly bear near West Creston, BC, on Saturday.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service, at around 4:30 pm on Saturday, a couple was e-biking along the Kootenay River when the wife heard her husband scream. She then saw a grizzly bear running towards her.
While using bear spray to deter the grizzly, she then noticed a second bear attacking her husband. The man's wife was able to scare the second grizzly away with bear spray and both bears ran off.
Emergency services were then called and the man was taken to the hospital in Cranbrook by ambulance, where he underwent surgery for his significant injuries.
Conservation officers responded to the scene with the RCMP and swept the area searching for the bears.
Three major trails in the area were closed off, signage was installed and traps were set up last night, but no bears were caught overnight.
Conservation officers returned to the scene Sunday morning and the bears have still not been seen.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of the BC Conservation Officer Service/Facebook.
