GRANDE PRAIRIE — Grande Prairie wildlife officials are on the lookout for three orphaned grizzly bear cubs after a knife-toting bow hunter killed a female grizzly that attacked him Wednesday night.
The hunter, a man in his 30s, encountered the mother grizzly and her cubs just before 9:30 p.m. while he was scouting locations in an area near Secondary Highway 666 and Range Road 73 for the upcoming bowhunting season.
The man, who is recovering from serious injuries in the QEII Hospital, declined an interview request Friday.
He defended himself using a hunting knife and was able to get away despite suffering serious arm and elbow injuries, officials said.
The mother grizzly suffered three stab wounds inflicted by the hunter’s knife and succumbed to her injuries, said Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesman Darcy Whiteside. Her body was found 30 yards from where the attacked occurred.
“She died pretty quick,” he said.
Fish and Wildlife believe the three bear cubs are still in the area. If they are caught, they will be taken to a more remote area.
“Traps have been set up Thursday but they haven’t been caught as of this morning,” said Whiteside.
“We’re telling people in the area to definitely phone their local Sustainable Resources Development office if they do spot the bear cubs. They believe the cubs are very young - they’re this year’s - so they are not going to be that big of a hazard. They are going to be trying to find food.”
Anyone who sees the cubs or other bears in the area are asked to phone (780) 538-5265 and not approach them.
Whiteside said as hunting is nearing, Fish and Wildlife are reminding hunters to use caution when they are in the South Wapiti area.
“We’ve had a number of bear reports in the area ... so it’s a reminder to be careful out there and really be aware of your surroundings,” said Whiteside. “Talk to be people in the area if you are in a place that you are unsure of because there might be wild animal activity in the area.”
Around this time, food such as berries are starting to blossom and the bears are feeding on them to put on the pounds before the start of winter.
Very brave and lucky guy.
