UPDATED AT 3:45 P.M.
A tree planter Is recovering in Prince George hospital in stable condition after being attacked by a bear Thursday afternoon near Tumbler Ridge.
The attack occurred in mountainous, heavily-forested terrain while the woman was planting trees in a cutblock near Thunder Mountain Road, about 40 kilometres southeast of Tumbler Ridge.
Dave Wilson, owner of Celtic Reforestation of Prince George, confirmed the attack victim, a 21-year-old, works for his company.
“She’s in the hospital doing fine,” said Wilson. “I’m sure there’s a lot psychological trauma that will accompany that, but she’s in really good spirits at the moment.
“She just encountered a bear and by all accounts she did all the right things. The outcome could have been a lot worse if there hadn’t been systems and good support in place.
“All our crews are trained in how to responded to black bears and grizzly bears because the strategy is often different. She did all the right things, spoke to the bear calmly, backed away slowly, and did all the stuff you’re supposed to do. It just didn’t work out.
“She was making her way back to the road when her crew boss came upon her. She was medevaced back to Prince George.”
Wilson was not authorized to reveal the extent of the woman’s injuries.
The BC Conservation Officer Service, in a Facebook post, revealed the bear first bluff-charged the woman and she retreated to a nearby roadway, where the attack occurred. The bear eventually disengaged and ran off. A co-worker was close to the scene and got the woman into his truck to leave the scene.
Conservation officers who interviewed the woman believe it was a grizzly bear that attacked her in the area southwest of Bearhole Lake Provincial Park. Because of the defensive nature of the attack and its remote proximity, officers at the scene have determined the risk of safety to the public is low and they will not be pursuing any efforts to trap the bear.
The Conservation Service reminds the public to take precautions to avoid wildlife encounters. People walking in the woods should carry bear spray, travel in groups and keep dogs leashed.
