Hiker escapes after being attacked by grizzly bear in backcountry near Pemberton, B.C.
Man suffered non-life threatening injuries, officials say
A man managed to escape without being seriously injured after a grizzly bear attacked him while he was hiking alone near Pemberton, B.C.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) responded to the backcountry area of Rutherford Creek drainage on Sunday evening.
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Service → escape → evening
"The investigation determined the attack was defensive in nature and resulted from a close-range surprise encounter," said the BCCOS.
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BCCOS → determine → encounter
The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials said, adding that he self-rescued and sought medical attention on his own.
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he → suffer → own
"Officers have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to other backcountry users," said the BCCOS.
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A predator attack team conducted an investigation and said anyone recreating in the area is encouraged to remain vigilant and be prepared for potential wildlife encounters.
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anyone → conduct → encounters
Grizzly bear breaks woman's neck
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Sunday's incident marks the second grizzly bear attack in the region within a week — and both individuals were hiking alone.
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A 72-year-old woman suffered a broken neck after a grizzly bear attacked her while she was hiking on Aug. 2 in the South Chilcotin near Pearson Ridge, roughly 70 kilometres north of Pemberton.
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she → suffer → Pemberton
The woman was taken to the hospital by air ambulance in serious condition.
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woman → take → condition
Pemberton Search and Rescue president David McKenzie said the woman also suffered several lacerations to her face, arms and neck.
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woman → say → face
"The bear was batting them around in the altercation," McKenzie said.
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McKenzie → bat → altercation
The Ministry of Environment said the attack was defensive in nature, from a female grizzly with at least one cub.
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attack → say → cub
The bear was not removed nor killed, and no capture devices were set up.
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devices → remove → ?
Preventing grizzly bear encounters
Bear biologist and researcher Wayne McCrory said having campsites and trails that overlap with grizzly bear feeding areas will create a high level of conflict.
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that → prevent → conflict
He’s done bear risk assessments for many national and provincial parks in the province over the last 40 years.
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"Where you have trails and campsites that avoid those areas, the conflict level goes way down," McCrory said.
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Grizzlies feed in riparian spaces, such as moist spots along rivers or subalpine areas in high-elevation, he said.
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he → feed → elevation
"Most of the grizzly bear injury incidents occur after July, when the bears are more intensely feeding to gain a third of their body weight before hibernation."
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McCrory said the trails where the attacks occurred should be assessed.
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"Do more bear habitat mapping and professional risk assessments and look at readjusting some of the historic trails and campsites that are in high hazard areas," he said.
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he → do → areas
Research scientist Lana Ciarniello specializes in human-bear conflicts, and said trails should not go through grizzly habitat and closing areas during berry season can help.
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closing → specialize → season
"It's hard on bears," Ciarniello said.
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"We are taking up a lot of habitat and bears
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A current proposal from Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. would prohibit camping and motorized vehicles for the Brandywine Meadows area from June 1 to Nov. 1, as they say it is important habitat for grizzlies to raise their cubs.
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"Don't forget this isn't only for the bears; this is also to protect the people," Ciarniello said.
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Staying safe in the backcountry
McCory said grizzly bears are known to rub on trees and mark their territories.
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"Grizzly bears are leaving their scent there," McCrory said.
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Field studies can locate these tree markings, which are often visible with claw and teeth scratches or stumps on the tree that have been smoothed over and shiny from rubbing.
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that → locate → tree
Grizzly bear hair is often left on the trees in the bark or protruding from stubs or limbs.
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hair → leave → stubs
McCrory said grizzly hairs are usually light or white-tipped.
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hairs → say → ?
"If you find more than four grizzly bear marked trees along a trail, you know, that's the main travel route," McCrory said.
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To avoid encounters with grizzlies, he said people should avoid travelling at dusk and dawn, and know how to use bear spray.
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"That will help you survive a close, serious encounter," McCrory said.
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Ciarniello said people should use their voice when in bear habitat, and travelling in a group also helps prevent attacks.
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"Having a group of you, staying together [and] making noise, your chances are very, very reduced," Ciarniello said.
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