BURST
Two hikers in the McGregor Mountain area northeast of Prince George have been attacked by a grizzly bear, according to the B.C. Conservation Office Service.
The service has not said whether the hikers were injured in the Oct. 12 attack. However, hiking in the Pass Lake area has been cancelled and all trails in the area are closed as the service’s predator attack team investigators scour the area.
A photo from the scene shows an RCMP helicopter and a civilian helicopter flying above a mostly unwooded ridge with a light dusting of snow.
On Sept. 29, near Fort St. James in north central B.C., a hunter was charged by a grizzly sow and bitten on the ankle. As the mother bear was protecting its cub, the incident was deemed defensive.
The bear withdrew after the attack, and the hunter was able to seek medical help on their own.
On Oct. 3, near Fort Steele in southeastern B.C., an elk hunter was seriously injured in an encounter with a grizzly sow and cubs. He was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment.
Late summer and early fall is a period of increased encounters, as human outdoor activity is still frequent and bears are foraging for food to fatten up in preparation for winter.
Bears often react defensively if surprised, especially by a human, with female bears demonstrating extremely protective and aggressive behaviours if they feel their cubs are threatened.
Officials say if entering the backcountry, make plenty of noise to alert wildlife, travel in groups, store food securely, and carry bear spray.
If encountering a bear, stay calm and don’t run. Speak softly and back away slowly, and use bear spray should you be charged.
— With files from J.J. Adams