Tree planter stable after suspected grizzly bear attack in northern B.C., conservation officer service says

Conservation officers are investigating after a tree planter was attacked by a bear in northeastern B.C.

A brief statement from the Conservation Officer Service said the attack happened on Thursday, near Tumbler Ridge. 

Paramedics were called to the Thunder Mountain area just after 3 p.m., according to B.C. Emergency Health Services.

Earlier, a spokesperson said the victim was airlifted to hospital in Prince George in stable condition. On Friday, the service said the 21-year-old woman remained in hospital in stable condition.

In a written statement, they said she had been planting trees southwest of Bearhole Lake Provincial Park at around 3 p.m. when the bear bluff-charged, prompting the woman to move to a nearby road, at which point the bear attacked.

A co-worker was able to call for help after the bear ran off.

"At this time, conservation officers do not have conclusive physical evidence but believe the attack involved a grizzly bear," the statement says.

No trapping efforts underway

The service says that due to the nature of the attack and the remote location of where it occurred, they do not believe there is a public safety risk and no efforts are underway to trap the bear.

Serious bear attacks involving tree planters are uncommon given teams run into wildlife in the backcountry on a regular basis.

"It's a very rare occurrence. There have been minor events involving swat or nip but nothing involving an airlift since 1991 to my knowledge in British Columbia," said Jordan Tesluk, who's been working in forestry and safety advocacy for silviculture and forestry in B.C. for the last 30 years.

"Usually bears aren't interested and want to make themselves scarce."

The conservation officer service is reminding anyone travelling in or near the wilderness to take precautions including carrying bear spray, travelling in groups and keeping pets on leash.