Ministry of Environment says bear cubs spared following attack

The Ministry of Environment says the two cubs of a sow black bear who attacked a jogger in Forests for the World Park Tuesday afternoon were spared.

Initial reports from the Prince George RCMP indicated both the mother bear and one cub had been put down. However, the Ministry of Environment says that’s not true – two cubs were located, tranquilized and transported to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers.

On Tuesday at about 4:15p, a 46 year old man suffered moderate non life threatening injuries after startling a bear on the trails in the popular park.

The victim of the attack, Reid Roberts, has posted his account of the events to Facebook;

So, here is the story since the media doesn’t always get it right. First of all, I was running not walking with my dog smile emoticon Actually at that point I probably was. I was bagged from the day before where ironically I ran into another bear on a different trail system on Cranbrook Hill. Pacer got wind of it a saw it before and put the chase on it. This is typical and it didn’t phase me since there was plenty of distance between us.
Yesterday I ran up to FFTW and immediately turned right out of parking lot, so I was nowhere near Shane Lk. I started climbing the trail that heads to the lookout but I was only a few hundred meters out of the parking lot. Pacer was about 5-10 ft in front of me, and without notice we both ran into momma bear that was in some willows on the side of the trail (which is basically a road). She came out right away in attack mode. I had the same thing happen to me two years ago but with a bit more distance between me and the bear, and no dog. That one turned out to be a bluff attack. This one was way to close. She had no option for a bluff. She locked in on me right away with head down staring at me. I was actually very calm and was thinking “really, this again” it was a bit surreal when I realized she wasn’t going to stop and I remember thinking “she is going to attack”. I was yelling hard and waving my hands as I was backing up. I never wanted to turn or turtle and knew I had to fight. The brain and body go right into fight mode. I’m not sure how I ended up on the ground off the trail but I remember her swatting at me like dogs do with their front paws when playing with another dog. I just started kicking at her while I was on my back. Immediately Pacer came at her barking and biting. She went at him for only a second to chase him off but quickly turned and came at me a second time. I think I got up and moved behind a clump of willows looking for any protection, but she came right through. I was on my back again for a second attack that only lasted seconds. I also remember thinking. “really, she’s coming again, this is not good, I got lucky once, but…” She was on me but Pacer was in her just as fast biting at her. This time she took off hard after him, but I knew he would out run her. I quickly got up and saw that my hand was gushing out blood but the rest of me was ok. I quickly moved behind the closest tree and jumped up to climb it as I watched her chase Pacer down the road. There were no branches big enough so I tried to shimmy up the tree but no luck. I was prepared for her to come back but she didn’t. I walked into the trail. I knew my cut was bad but otherwise I was fine. I called Jeff Jeff Hunter first thinking that if I went into shock or passed out he would be able to find me and help the rescue. I could give him my location in only a few seconds and he would know exactly where I was. However the call went to his voicemail. I left a message then the funny thing. I knew my gps watch timer was still on, so I paused it to end the run ? I called 911, and had to explain multiple times where I was and what parking lot I was walking to. However, I had to walk down the trail that the bear just ran down after Pacer. I got to the lot, calling for Pacer the entire time. Two people walked out of Shane Lk trail and saw I was covered in blood on my face and legs (all from the hand puncture). They asked if I was ok. I said no, but I need to find my dog. The ambulance was on its way and I didn’t want to leave until pacer was found. Jeff and the ambulance got there at the same time. Police just before. They started to wrap my hand (police) and I then started going into shock and started passing out. Everything went blurry but I remember Jeff coming up to me and saying Pacer ran to his house, 2k away.
I had sent Chelsea a text before the ambulance arrived, then she called me.
After the tree climbing attempt I knew my hand was bad so I wrapped it up with the bottom of my shirt. I also remember telling the 911 dispatcher that I need to hang up so I can get the mosquitoes off of me since I only had one hand to use. I had been yelling so much that I went horse so the dispatcher thought I was a women. So that is why some media reported a woman being attacked.
I got 16 stitches around and up the thumb and some minor claw marks on the stomach and arm. My shorts got ripped to shreds, but not my shirt.
Pacer is fine and truly my hero. The attack would have happened no matter what and it was not provoked by a dog. If he was leashed he would have been even closer to me. I usually have him run ahead as a look out for moose and bears.i never run without him
So, will I run solo on trails again. As soon as I can. Next time I will make more noise more often and keep Pacer in the lead.