'A rare predatory attack': Bear that injured women in northern B.C. was hunting them, officials say
Two women left with life-altering injuries in northeastern B.C. this week were victims of "a rare predatory attack" by a black bear, according to conservation officers.
In an update posted on social media Thursday, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said it had concluded the bear's attack on Analyn Shurtliff, her teenage son, and her friend Leosette Canoy "was predatory in nature."
"Predatory attacks by black bears are extremely rare," the BCCOS said in a Facebook post.
Nevertheless, evidence gathered at the scene and interviews with victims and witnesses suggested that the bear was hunting the victims for food, according to the service.
"The adult male black bear that was killed on site was acting alone," the BCCOS said. "Physical evidence found during the necropsy of the bear confirmed it was the offending animal."
The attack happened on the Bear Mountain Cross Country Ski Club trails around 7 p.m. Monday, according to Dawson Creek RCMP.
"Several attempts were made to scare the bear off, however it remained and would not leave the vicinity of the victims," Mounties said in a news release Tuesday.
"RCMP officers believed the bear to be guarding the victims, so discharged a rifle, striking the bear and killing it."
Online fundraisers have been set up to assist the victims of the attack, with the one for Shurtliff indicating that she had been airlifted to Vancouver in serious, but stable condition. She had a 50 per cent chance of losing her left arm and was at high risk for infection, according to the fundraiser.
Canoy was taken to Edmonton Royal Alexandra Hospital, where her fundraiser says she may have to stay for "weeks or months."
The BCCOS said it "sends its support to the families and best wishes on their recovery."
The service also reminded the public of bear-related safety tips.
"The COS encourages anyone recreating in bear country to take precautions and equip themselves in case they encounter wildlife," the BCCOS said. "This includes being aware of your surroundings, such as noticing potential signs of bears in the area; carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it, as well as taking along noise devices – especially in the backcountry and if there is limited visibility on a trail."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Alyse Kotyk and Ben Nesbit
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.