Last weekend, a Canadian couple was leisurely cycling along a trail when a thrilling scene unfolded: they encountered two grizzly bears, which led to the bears launching an attack on them. The local government stated that the wife reacted swiftly, using bear spray to drive away the two bears and saved their lives.
According to a report by Fox News on July 30th, the incident occurred around 4:30 pm on Saturday, July 26th, near the Kootenay River where the couple was cycling on electric bikes. The bears were said to have attacked out of being startled, as confirmed by the Conservation Officer Service (COS) of British Columbia, Canada.
The wife recounted to authorities that she heard her husband shouting and then saw a bear charging towards her. As she reached for the bear spray to defend herself, she noticed another grizzly bear attacking her husband. She sprayed the bears with the spray again, successfully dispersing both of them.
Local officials mentioned that the husband sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital for surgery, with expectations for a full recovery.
“This couple was well-prepared,” posted COS Inspector Dave Webster on Facebook. “They had bear spray readily available and knew how to use it. Their actions are commendable, and we urge everyone in bear country to take similar precautionary measures.”
Following the attack, officers interviewed the victims, examined the scene, and consulted a carnivore expert. The expert concluded that the bears likely acted in self-defense.
In a statement released by the Conservation Officer Service two days after the incident, it was confirmed that the bear’s behavior appeared to be a defensive reaction, possibly due to the couple catching them off guard in a densely wooded section of the trail.
After the incident, authorities blocked three major roads and set traps but did not capture any animals. Subsequent searches the next day also failed to locate any bear traces.
There is no indication that the bears were continuously tracking or hunting the couple, and there have been no recent reports of bear attacks in the area. Therefore, wildlife officials have decided not to pursue or relocate the grizzly bears.
Officials emphasize that bear spray has been proven to be an effective method for dealing with bears. It is strongly recommended to carry bear spray when traveling in wildlife conservation areas for safety purposes.