A Grande Cache man mauled by a grizzly bear over the weekend said he feels lucky to be alive but now fears the bear will attack again.
James Wanyandie and his 77-year-old father Tom were in the woods north of Grande Cache searching for antlers to use in their artwork when they saw a small cub and its mother nearby.
"I saw that bear coming full speed at me like straight at me and I thought I got to shoot it and I fired," said James.
But he missed, and the bear lunged for Tom who tried to fight off the animal with a walking stick. Eventually, Tom was able to shove the stick down the bear's throat.
Wildlife officials have looked into the attack and recently posted some signs in the area to warn people. But they're not actively pursuing the bear because they call the mauling defensive.
"This is their normal behaviour and unless people are to come across the bear again in similar situations we don't anticipate this to be an ongoing worry," said Dave Ealey with Sustainable Resource Development.
But James couldn't disagree more; he feels if the bear is not dealt with, it could strike again.
"I think it would be good if they could find it because the next person (that) comes along near that bear same thing is going to happen, or worse," he said.
Wildlife officials said they anticipate that more people may come in contact with the grizzly this year because bears are now searching wider areas for food due to the late spring.
James is now suffering from a broken arm and a severely gashed leg. His father was treated in hospital for minor injuries and has been released.
With files from CTV's Scott Roberts
