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 attack, which is believed to have been killed. Another bear, of unknown age, fled the scene after the incident.
STARS air ambulance confirmed that a man in his 30s was airlifted from the Springbank area, west of Calgary. Although the air ambulance service did not disclose the man’s condition, Alberta Fish and Wildlife stated that he survived. The man was initially in serious condition but was later reported to be in a stable, non-life-threatening condition by EMS on Friday.
Bear Safety and More founder Kim Titchener highlighted the frequency of grizzly bear attacks on hunters during hunting seasons in Canada and the U.S. She emphasized the importance of changing behaviors to enhance safety while engaging in outdoor activities. Titchener explained that hunters moving silently through the wilderness could unknowingly attract bears due to noises resembling prey species.
Despite the upcoming hibernation period, grizzly bears are actively foraging for vegetation to fatten up for the winter. Titchener mentioned the ongoing bear activity on the landscape and the proximity of the recent attack to Calgary. She referenced previous fatal bear incidents in Mountain View County and stated that bears are returning to habitats they once inhabited in Alberta.
Regarding the second bear that fled the scene, Alberta Fish and Wildlife did not provide specific details, but Titchener suggested that the bears were likely a mother-cub pair. Officials will collect DNA samples from the survivor to confirm the identity of the bear involved in the attack, as stated by provincial spokesperson Sheena Campbell.