A Saturday evening mauling northwest of Waiparous left two men injured, one requiring air ambulance transport to Calgary for emergency surgery, and an esteemed wildlife behaviourist believes a grizzly sow is responsible.

The bear attack occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. at a location in the ‘Ghost Forest Land Use Zone’ near the intersection of Highway 940 and Hunter Valley Road. A bear charged an ATV and a dirt bike, knocking the two men from their vehicles.

The men were confronted by the bear but the attack was thwarted with bear spray.

An unidentified 31-year-old man was airlifted to the Foothills Medical Centre in serious but stable condition. The bear attack victim underwent surgery on Monday and has been interviewed by Fish and Wildlife officers.

The second victim, a man believed to be in his fifties, suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalization.

Conservation officers believe the attack involved a mother bear protecting her cubs.

Dr. Stephen Herrero, meritus professor of environment science at the University of Calgary, in an expert on bear behavior having studied the animals for over 45 years. Dr. Herrero says a grizzly bear was likely responsible for the attack.

“Black bears, in sudden encounter situations like it was here, very seldom charge and contact people,” explains Dr. Herrero. “Situations under which black bears injure people are significantly different.”

Dr. Herrero says grizzly bears are more aggressive than black bears, especially in situations where cubs are at risk, but a mauling is not the common outcome when a grizzly confronts humans. The wildlife behaviourist commends the men for carrying bear spray and deploying it properly, actions which likely deterred the bear’s aggression.

“They did the right thing,” said Dr. Herrero. “They had bear spray, they drew it, they armed it, they deployed it and they carried it.”

“They are a dangerous animal. In grizzly and in black bear country, one should always carry bear spray, be alert, travel in groups ideally, and make noise.

Dr. Herrero has conducted studies on bear spray and has determined it is more effective than firearms when facing an attacking bear.