Hunter in hospital following grizzly bear attack south of Cochrane, Alta.

A hunter is at the Foothills Medical Centre after being mauled by a grizzly bear on Thursday. (File Photo/Rocky Mountain Outlook)

A hunter is at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary after being mauled by a grizzly bear on Thursday.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife says a report came in regarding the attack, which occurred south of Cochrane, around 1 p.m.

The victim, a man in his 30s, was airlifted by STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service).

Officials say the bear involved in the attack was shot by the victim’s hunting partner and that the bear is believed to be dead.

A second bear fled the scene.

Fish and Wildlife officers will collect DNA samples from the victim to confirm the bear that was shot was the same one that attacked the hunter.

They will also investigate what led to the encounter.

Safety experts say attacks on hunters happen all too often.

Just a few days ago, a B.C. hunter, 63-year-old Joe Pendry, died from a blood clot while recovering from a grizzly bear attack.

Pendry was hunting for elk in the Fort Steele area when he came across a sow and her cubs.

He shot at, punched, and bit the bear in his fight for survival.

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