B.C. man uses boxing skills to survive brutal grizzly bear attack near Cranbrook

What began as a routine elk hunt near Fort Steele, northeast of Cranbrook, turned into a fight for survival when 63-year-old Joe Pendry came face-to-face with a mother grizzly and her cubs earlier this month.

On Oct. 2, Pendry was tracking elk through the East Kootenay wilderness when the bear charged. Drawing on his experience as a boxer, he managed to fight back — even as the 400-pound animal mauled him.

Pendry’s wife, Janice, says her husband fired a shot that struck the bear in the leg, but it kept coming. “He punched and bit the bear’s ear, did everything he could to survive,” she said. “At one point, its jaws were around his head.”

The bear tore off parts of Pendry’s scalp and lips and crushed several bones. He lost a finger, broke both arms, multiple ribs, and suffered severe facial fractures. Despite his injuries, he managed to fend off the bear, call 911, and reach his son for help before being airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital.

“It was very touch and go,” Janice said. “But he’s a tough fighter — his boxing saved his life.”

Bear confirmed killed

Days later, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) located a dead grizzly in the same area. DNA testing confirmed it was the bear responsible for the attack. Officials said it likely died of sepsis from the gunshot wound Pendry inflicted during the encounter.

“Through DNA analysis, we confirmed this was the bear involved,” the COS said in a statement. “The victim remains in hospital and continues to recover.”

A fighter’s resilience

Pendry’s years as both a boxer and outdoor guide may have made the difference between life and death. His wife believes his instincts kicked in when it mattered most.

“Not many people survive a grizzly attack,” she said. “He fought like hell.”

Pendry is now facing a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. He’s undergone multiple surgeries and is showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress. “He still dreams about the bear,” Janice said. “He may never be able to go back to work.”

For Janice, the trauma lingers too. “I’m trying to be strong for everyone else,” she said. “I have good days and bad days. One day, I think it’ll all hit me.”

According to WildSafeBC, grizzly bear attacks are rare but can be fatal. The organization urges anyone venturing into bear country to carry deterrents, make noise, and remain alert — lessons that Pendry, the man who boxed his way out of a grizzly’s jaws, knows better than most.