Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are currently investigating the incident where a hunter was mauled by a grizzly bear in the Springbank area west of Calgary. The man’s hunting partner shot and killed the attacking grizzly, while another bear fled the scene after the attack.
The identity and situation of the bear that fled are uncertain, but Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen indicated that it is likely a mother-cub pair. There are considerations regarding the fate of the second bear, particularly regarding its age and ability to survive without its mother, according to retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke.
The response to an orphaned cub, as outlined in the province’s grizzly bear response guide, includes options such as retention at a zoo, no action, or euthanasia. Orphaned grizzly bears cannot be rehabilitated and released into the wild under the provincial Wildlife Act, unlike black bears.
Recent incidents have highlighted the increasing presence of grizzly bears in areas closer to urban centers, indicating a potential range expansion. The province’s grizzly bear management plan distinguishes core areas where bears are expected to roam and support areas where sightings are possible. Grizzly encounters are becoming more common outside these designated areas.
The Alberta government reports an increase in the grizzly bear population, which has led to their presence in more populated regions. The estimated grizzly bear population in the province stands between 865 and 973 bears. Concerns have been raised about grizzly bear attacks on livestock, with 62 confirmed reports of such incidents this year.
The recent mauling incident is one of three grizzly bear attacks responded to by the province this year, including a non-fatal mauling along the St. Mary River and the Diamond Valley encounter resulting in orphaned cubs placed under the care of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
The investigation is ongoing, with DNA samples being collected to confirm the identity of the bear killed in the attack. The victim of the mauling was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition but is reported to be in a stable condition. Minister Loewen emphasized the need for vigilance as grizzlies are increasingly being encountered in new territories.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/grizzly-bear-alberta-springbank-maul-9.6962281)