72-Year-Old Hiker Seriously Injured in Grizzly Bear Attack in B.C.’s South Chilcotin
Emma MacLeod
8/7/20263 min read
A 72-year-old woman is recovering after being seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack while hiking in a remote area of British Columbia’s South Chilcotin region.
Pemberton Search and Rescue was notified by RCMP at approximately 3:45 p.m. PT Sunday that a hiker had been attacked east of Tyaughton Lake near Gold Bridge, roughly 70 kilometres north of Pemberton.
Search and rescue president David McKenzie said the woman was in the Pearson Ridge area when the encounter occurred.
“The bear was batting them around in the altercation,” McKenzie said.
Search Crews Waited for Area to Be Cleared
Emergency crews responded quickly and coordinated with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service due to the possibility that the bear remained nearby.
“They didn't want us to enter into the scene until they had cleared it just because of safety,” McKenzie said.
The conservation service deployed a three-member predator attack response team to the area by helicopter.
Pearson Ridge is a remote hiking area accessible by forest service roads and connected to a network of backcountry trails.
The B.C. Wildfire Service, which was battling a wildfire nearby, located the injured hiker and assisted in her rescue.
“They met up with our team, and we had already arranged for an air ambulance,” McKenzie said.
Paramedics were waiting at the former Gun Lake Airport near Gold Bridge to transport the woman.
Brian Twaites with B.C. Emergency Health Services said two ground ambulances and an air ambulance responded.
The woman was transported to hospital by air ambulance in serious condition.
Hiker Suffered Neck Fracture and Lacerations
McKenzie said the woman suffered significant injuries during the attack.
“It was quite serious. They had several lacerations of the face, arms, neck, along with an actual C1 [neck] fracture,” he said.
Despite the severity of her injuries, McKenzie said he later received positive information about her recovery.
“I understand they are doing well,” he said.
Officers Believe Attack Was Defensive
The Ministry of Environment said conservation officers later followed up with the woman and collected clothing that could contain evidence connected to the attack.
On Aug. 3, officers returned to the site, completed an investigation and retrieved the woman’s personal belongings.
Investigators believe the encounter was a defensive attack involving a female grizzly bear with at least one cub.
The bear has not been killed or removed, and officials are not setting up capture devices.
“COS has put up signs in the area as a precaution,” the ministry said.
Expert Urges Caution in Grizzly Habitat
Bear biologist and researcher Wayne McCrory, who has conducted bear risk assessments in national and provincial parks across B.C. for roughly four decades, said encounters remain a concern as more people travel through grizzly habitat.
“Lots of people are out enjoying our beautiful province and backcountry in occupied grizzly habitat,” McCrory said.
He described the attack as tragic and said he has experienced dangerous encounters with bears himself.
“My heart goes out to the person,” he said. “It's difficult. I've had my own serious, very, very close near-death encounters.”
McCrory said the South Chilcotin contains extensive grizzly habitat, including salmon streams and subalpine and riparian areas where bears feed.
“It’s got a fairly good population, especially since the grizzly bear hunt was closed in 2017,” he said.
He said serious encounters are more likely where hiking trails and campsites overlap with areas frequently used by bears.
“Grizzly bears like to use park trails if their terrain is rough,” McCrory said.
Hikers Encouraged to Take Precautions
McCrory recommended avoiding hiking during the early morning and late evening, carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.
He also said trails and campsites should, where possible, be kept away from important feeding areas and movement corridors.
“We have these happen every year in British Columbia because we live in prime grizzly habitat,” McCrory said.
“We just have to do our best to avoid encounters.”
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