A grizzly bear attacked a hunter south of Cochrane, Alta., on Thursday afternoon, as reported by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. The survivor’s hunting partner shot the bear involved in the attack, which is believed to be dead, while another bear, of unknown age, fled the scene. The injured man, in his 30s, was airlifted from the Springbank area to Calgary by STARS air ambulance. Though the man’s condition was not confirmed by the air ambulance service, Alberta Fish and Wildlife stated that he survived. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) later reported that the man’s condition had improved from serious to non-life-threatening after being taken to the hospital.
Bear Safety and More founder Kim Titchener highlighted the frequency of grizzly bear attacks on hunters during hunting seasons in both Canada and the U.S. She emphasized the need for behavioral changes to enhance safety while engaging in outdoor activities. Titchener explained that hunters’ quiet movement in the wilderness could lead to surprise bear encounters as the noise might resemble that of a prey species, unintentionally attracting carnivores.
Despite the upcoming hibernation period for bears, they are currently active in search of remaining vegetation to consume and fatten up for winter. Titchener warned that grizzly bears are still present in the landscape and advised caution. She referenced past bear incidents in nearby areas, stressing that some bears are reclaiming habitats they once inhabited.
While Alberta Fish and Wildlife did not provide details about the fleeing bear, Titchener speculated that the bears involved in the attack were likely a mother-cub pair. Authorities will collect DNA samples from the survivor to confirm the identity of the bear shot during the encounter, according to provincial spokesperson Sheena Campbell.
