A tragic incident occurred as Joe Pendry, aged 63, lost his life following a bear attack despite initially surviving. The unfortunate encounter took place while he was elk hunting near Fort Steele, northeast of Cranbrook, Canada, on October 2. Joe encountered a bear with her two cubs, leading to a harrowing confrontation that resulted in severe injuries. His wife, Janice, revealed that Joe bravely fought back, even resorting to punching and biting the bear as it clamped down on his head. The brutal attack left Joe with extensive injuries, including the loss of body parts and multiple fractures.
Following the assault, Joe managed to contact emergency services and his son for help. He was swiftly airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital, where he underwent numerous surgeries to address his injuries. The British Columbia Officer Service confirmed the presence of a deceased grizzly bear in the vicinity of the attack, holding it responsible for the incident. Reports later indicated that the bear had succumbed to sepsis, linking it definitively to the attack on Joe.
The Conservation Officer Service recovered the bear’s remains and confirmed its involvement through DNA analysis. Meanwhile, Joe remained hospitalized, undergoing recovery and treatment for his injuries. Non-profit organization WildSafeBC highlighted the rarity of grizzly bear attacks, emphasizing their potentially fatal consequences. In a separate incident in October, two hikers were seriously injured in a grizzly bear attack in the McGregor mount area near Prince George, underscoring the need for caution in bear-inhabited regions.
Advice for individuals encountering bears includes remaining calm, speaking softly while slowly retreating, and standing ground while using bear spray if necessary in the event of a charge. These precautions are essential in bear encounters to ensure safety for both humans and wildlife.