Grizzly attack injures elk hunter near Fort Steele, victim stable

An elk hunter was seriously injured Oct. 2 after an apparent grizzly bear attack near Fort Steele, British Columbia, and has since been stabilized in hospital, officials said. Conservation officers said the man, whose name has not been released, was evacuated to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition and later moved to stable status as investigators continued to examine the scene.

Conservation Officer Service inspector Tobe Sprado said preliminary findings indicate the hunter was using elk calls when a sow grizzly with cubs approached. "We believe the hunter was calling and we believe the calls attracted the grizzly bear family group towards him," Sprado said. Officials reported the hunter fired a single shot in self defense, but they were unable to determine whether the bear was struck. The type of firearm has not been disclosed.

Search teams deployed drones equipped with FLIR thermal cameras and conducted low-level helicopter flights and ground sweeps but did not locate any bears or evidence that the animals remained in the area. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police assisted conservation officers in the investigation. Officials have not said whether the hunter was alone...