A day after two Kimberley residents were attacked by a sow grizzly with two cubs in the Dewar Creek area, a Fernie mountain biker experienced a bluff charge by a mother grizzly with two cubs.

“There have been no further reported sightings or signs of activity of the grizzly bear and cubs that bluff charged a mountain biker yesterday when she surprised the bear at close range. The incident happened 500 metres away from the (Elk Valley) trailhead by the River Road Extension bridge yesterday afternoon. The trail is now open but enter at your own risk,” reported WildSafeBC Elk Valley yesterday (June 12).

“Be prepared and expect to encounter bears anytime. Fernie is bear country.”

The Kimberley men attacked were able to remove themselves from the scene and drive to hospital in Cranbrook.

The BC Conservation Officer Service reports that the isolated location of the attack is the reason it is leaving the bears alone, noting it was a mother protecting her young.

If venturing into the vast backcountry that surrounds all East Kootenay communities, please be fully prepared for wildlife encounters.

For more on human/wildlife conflict, check out the BC Conservation Officer website.

Lead image: Elk Valley Trail. WildSafeBC Elk Valley photo

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