Current:Home > InvestBear attacks and seriously injures 21-year-old woman planting trees in Canada -ProfitLogic
Bear attacks and seriously injures 21-year-old woman planting trees in Canada
View
Date:2025-04-18 19:52:10
A 21-year-old woman who was planting trees was seriously injured by a bear in western Canada in what authorities have called a "defensive attack."
The attack happened shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday near Bearhole Lake Provincial Park outside of Tumbler Ridge, a small town in northeastern British Columbia, according to a Friday news release from the province's Conservation Officer Service.
"The bear first bluff-charged and the victim retreated to a nearby roadway, where the bear attacked," officials said.
The bear eventually ran off and a coworker of the woman came to her aid and called for help, the agency said.
The victim was transported via helicopter to a hospital in Prince George and authorities said she is now in stable condition.
Conservation officers who responded to the scene determined there had been bears in the area, but they did not spot any. Officials say they don't have conclusive evidence but they believe it was a grizzly bear that attacked the woman.
According to statistics released by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, there are an estimated 120,000-160,000 black bears in the province -- about one bear for every seven square kilometers. The province's grizzly bear population, estimated at 10,000 -13,000, is classified as vulnerable.
Bear-human conflicts are considered "relatively rare," the ministry said, unless the animals are startled or protecting their cubs or food.
However, last October, a "rare predatory attack" by a black bear left three people injured, two seriously, the CBC reported. That attack also occurred in northeastern British Columbia, outside the city of Dawson Creek.
Since 2019, calls about predatory grizzly bear attacks have doubled, and in some cases tripled according to statistics released by the province. In the years 2018-2019, there were 11 calls made about predatory grizzly bear attacks, and the following year there were 36 calls about attacks, according to the statistics. Through April 2023 -- the latest month statistics were released -- there were 29 calls about attacks.
On Friday, officials urged the public to "take precautions in case of wildlife encounters, which includes carrying bear spray, traveling in groups, and ensuring pets are leashed."
- In:
- Bear
- Canada
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (38123)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Shane MacGowan, longtime frontman of The Pogues, dies at 65, family says
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' Trainer Wants You to Eat More This Holiday Season—You Know You Love It
- AP Top 25: Michigan is No. 1 for first time in 26 seasons, Georgia’s streak on top ends at 24 weeks
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- How S Club Is Honoring Late Member Paul Cattermole on Tour
- 20 Kick-Ass Secrets About Charlie's Angels Revealed
- It's been a brutal year for homebuyers. Here's what experts predict for 2024, from mortgage rates to prices.
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Harris focuses on shaping a post-conflict Gaza during a diplomatic blitz in Dubai with Arab leaders
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Kiss performs its final concert. But has the band truly reached the 'End of the Road'?
- Michigan vs Alabama, Washington vs. Texas in College Football Playoff; unbeaten Florida St left out
- France and Philippines eye a security pact to allow joint military combat exercises
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Make Red Carpet Debut as a Couple at Jingle Ball
- Alabama woman pleads guilty in 2019 baseball bat beating death of man found in a barrel
- Klete Keller, Olympic gold medalist, gets 36 months probation in Jan. 6 riot case
Recommendation
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Column: Georgia already in rarified territory, with a shot to be the best ever
Los Angeles police searching for suspect in three fatal shootings of homeless people
Derek Chauvin was stabbed 22 times in federal prison attack, according to new charges
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Republicans had New Yorkers lead the way in expelling Santos. Will it help them keep the majority?
Father of Palestinian American boy slain outside Chicago files wrongful death lawsuit
The international court prosecutor says he will intensify investigations in Palestinian territories