Updated Story: Monday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m.
A Cranbrook man remains in Kelowna General Hospital after being mauled by a Grizzly bear last week in the Kootenays.
Joe Pendry was elk hunting when he crossed paths with a Grizzly sow and two cubs last Thursday near Fort Steel resulting in the bear attacking Pendry.
He was was airlifted to Kelowna where he remains in intensive care, in stable condition.
According to a Go Fund Me page, Pendry has already undergone two surgeries with more scheduled for later this week.
The Go Fund Me has raised over $8,500 as of this morning, Oct. 6, as it will be long road to recovery for the Cranbrook man.
Updated Story: Friday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
In an update to this week’s grizzly attack on a hunter in Fort Steele, Conservation Officers and RCMP have said preliminary findings suggest a grizzly sow with her cubs may have been drawn to the hunter who was elk calling.
Initial information was that the hunter was able to fire off one shot in self-defence, but it is unknown if the bear was hit.
A drone with FLIR capabilities was used and was unable to locate any bears. Conservation officers conducted low level helicopter flights and were not able to locate any bears and ground sweeps of the area also did not locate any bears. Conservation officers returned to the area this morning and could not locate any new evidence of bears remaining in the area.
The hunter was transported yesterday to Kelowna General Hospital with serious injuries and remains in hospital.
At this point the BCCOS has not been able to speak to the victim of the attack due to his injuries.
Original Story: Friday, Oct.3 at 9 a.m.
A hunter has been seriously injured after an encounter with a grizzly sow and cubs on Thursday, Oct. 2, in Fort Steele.
The individual was airlifted for medical treatment and the incident is under investigation by Conservation Officer Service (COS) Predator Attack specialists.
This is the second grizzly attack this week, with a hunter being bitten on the ankle after they were charged by a grizzly sow with a cub in Fort St James on Monday, Sept. 29.
The bear disengaged, and the hunter was able to seek medical help, with authorities deeming the incident defensive- as the mother bear was protecting its cub.
COS said this is a timely reminder for hunters and backcountry users to make noise to alert wildlife, travel in groups, store food securely and carry bear spray—and know how to use it
If you do encounter a bear- stay calm, don’t run. Speak softly and back away slowly.
Use bear spray if the bear charges.
Learn more at https://wildsafebc.com/
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