A mother bear and her two cubs have been killed in Powell River after the protective sow charged a man walking his dog, leaving him with minor injuries.
The 51-year-old man was walking his dog in a residential area close to the community’s downtown core early Thursday morning when he was suddenly confronted by the black bear.
He instinctively picked up his pet and police say before he knew what was happening, he was laying on his back with the massive animal on top of him.
“He screamed and yelled for help, and ultimately the bear ran off,” said Powell River RCMP spokesman Const. Tim Kenning.
His cries for help were heard by a nearby resident, who looked out the window and saw the bear as well as two young cubs flee the area.
The man fortunately suffered only minor injuries including puncture marks to his arms and legs, and took himself to hospital, according to police.
“Extremely fortunate that he came out with just minimal injuries,” said Kenning.
But unfortunately for the family of bears, BC Conservation officers later tracked down and destroyed the animals because they were seen as a threat.
“This man didn’t get in between the cubs and the sow. It may have been the bear was after the dog,” said BC Conservation officer Sgt. Murray Smith , who added the service received “multiple calls” about the sow and cubs sauntering around the area for several weeks.
“This is the worst bear year we’ve had in the Powell River area in 10 years. The main reason for that is our berry crop dried up this year,” Smith said. “With the loss of the berries, the bears have come into town and they’re looking for alternative food sources.”
Officials say it’s a sad situation that serves as a reminder to follow specific guidelines in order to prevent human-bear encounters.
Smith reminded residents to minimize the potential for bear encounters by storing garbage in a secure place and picking ripened fruit and nuts from trees.
Anyone who spots a bear that looks threatening, persistent or aggressive is asked to call conservation officers at 1-877-952-7277.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Zahra Premji
