Carolyn Grant
Two men from Kimberley were injured after being mauled by a grizzly bear in the Dewar Creek area on June 10.
Conservation Officer Joe Carravetta says one man remains in hospital and the other has been released.
“It happened on Saturday, June 10 at about 9 p.m.,” Carravetta said. “It was in the Dewar Creek areas up St. Mary’s. These two guys were out hiking, scouting out areas for future hunting. They didn’t have any firearms with them.
“Around 9 p.m they were hiking in an area where grizzlies had been seen feeding. They got between a grizzly sown and her two year old cubs. Both individuals were attacked and sustained multiple puncture wounds to the arms, legs, torsos and heads. Their vehicle was parked some distance away but they were able to get to it and drive to the Cranbrook hospital Then it was reported to us.”
Carravetta says four Conservation Officers attended the area and warned people camped nearby, who left the area.
The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy area trials were closed as well.
At this time, Carravetta says there are no plans to track and destroy the bears.
“We do not intend on pursuing the bears. This happened way back in an isolated area and we won’t pursue the bears unless they prove to be a problem again. It was just bears doing what bears do.”