By Geoff Smith (@smithco)

Bear attack near Waterton sends man to Lethbridge hospital

Sep 20, 2016 | 10:58 AM

WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK – People are being urged to use extreme caution if headed to Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park, near Waterton.

British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment believes it was a grizzly bear that attacked a man Sunday, Sept. 18. Rangers from BC Parks helped the man get to the Akamina Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park, and they were met by paramedics. The victim was taken to hospital in Lethbridge with non-life-threatening injuries.

Inspector Joe Caravetta, with the BC Conservation Officer Service, says the bear may have been startled and attacked out of self-defence.

He says officers are not considering tracking the bear down at this point, since risk to the public is minimal.

“If somehow we are able to find better information that there’s previous history with this bear from other park people in that area, and it’s caused problems over the last couple of months, then that may change our opinion on how we proceed.”

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Parks Canada was called in to help with the investigation, which includes BC Parks and that province’s Conservation Officer Service.

Visitors to the provincial park will find the Forum Lake Trail closed, along with parking lot and trail head access. Warning signs have been posted, along with a warning at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/akamina/ .