Grizzly that mauled hunter shot

Alberta wildlife officers have shot a female grizzly bear that killed a hunter near Sundre, Alta., last week and are now looking for her three large cubs. 

The body of hunter Robert Wagner, 48, of Didsbury, Alta., was found Oct. 1 less than a kilometre from his parked truck. An autopsy confirmed he had been mauled to death by a bear.

Wildlife officers shot the grizzly Thursday and are trying to trap the dead bear's three cubs, which are believed to be about 2½ years old and dangerous, spokesman Duncan MacDonnell said Friday.

"DNA evidence tested last night confirmed that we did get the bear responsible."

MacDonnell says if the cubs cannot be trapped and relocated, they will also be killed.

The bear attack had rural residents in the farming community northwest of Calgary "looking over their shoulder," said Mountain View County Coun. Kathy Blain earlier in the day.

"There is fear in the community. This time of year, it's very busy. Farmers are fencing. They're bringing their livestock home from the pastures. They're harvesting," she said. "When you go out, you have to be looking over your shoulder."

Blain said a public meeting Friday night at the Elkton Valley Campground would still go ahead since the cubs were still on the loose.

The Alberta Wilderness Association estimates there may be fewer than 500 grizzlies left in the province.