Two hikers were attacked by a grizzly bear northeast of Prince George, B.C., over the long weekend, prompting a trail closure and public notice. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the hikers were both seriously injured after encountering a sow and two cubs in the McGregor Range on Sunday. “Both hikers are in stable conditions and recovering in hospital. We’re wishing them a full and speedy recovery,” the BCCOS said Tuesday in a social media post. Related: Woman walking dog attacked by bear in Squamish, B.C. Specialists were sent to the attack site—on the Farm Cabin Trail, near Pass Lake Forest Service Road—and have determined the bear’s actions were defensive. “Due to the location and nature of the incident, no action will be taken against the bears,” the BCCOS added. The trailhead has been closed, with signage posted to ward off hikers. Officials urged the public to heed the closure. B.C. Emergency Health Services said an air ambulance was dispatched to the victims around 3 p.m. Sunday, and that paramedics provided emergency treatment at the scene. The hikers were then “transported to the Prince George Airport, where they were met by two ground ambulances and transported on to further care,” said BCEHS spokesperson Brian Twaites, in an email statement. One of the hikers was initially said to be in critical condition. Conservation officers received 63 calls regarding grizzly bear conflicts in August, the latest month for which data are available. Officers attended 13 of those calls, one of which resulted in a bear being destroyed. The BCCOS said anyone heading into bear country should carry bear spray and avoid bear habitats, identifiable by “fresh tracks, scat or animal carcasses.” Hikers can also help avoid surprising bears by staying alert and making noise, particularly in areas of dense brush or low visibility. Tips for how to respond during a bear encounter are available on the B.C. government website.
