Over the weekend, a hiker was injured in a bear encounter near the serene Conflict Lake in the picturesque Callaghan Conservancy.
As per the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS), a trio of hikers had a frightening encounter with two bears around 5 p.m. on Friday. One of the bears launched an attack on a member of the group before backing off.
Responding swiftly, the COS Predator Attack Team, in collaboration with Squamish RCMP and Squamish Search and Rescue, arrived at the location via helicopter.
Upon reaching the scene, officers conducted a thorough safety check and found an adult male black bear at the site of the incident. To ensure public safety, conservation officers made the tough decision to euthanize the bear.
The injured hiker was given immediate first aid on-site and then airlifted to the hospital. Fortunately, the COS reported that her injuries were not life-threatening.
As the investigation unfolded on Saturday, conservation officers revisited the area. The authorities are yet to confirm if the euthanized black bear was the one involved in the attack or if it was the second bear. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the bear responsible for the attack was a black bear or a grizzly bear.
For now, trail access in the vicinity has been sealed off while investigations are ongoing. Warning signs have been prominently displayed at access points by the COS.
