Bear Attacks

During the last few weeks there have been an unusually high number of bear attacks on people. As we are invading the territory of the wildlife in general and bear territory in particular, we can expect more of this to take place. People are searching for new adventure and pushing the outer limits of seeking for that special thrill of being only one of a few to penetrate back country. There is a great feeling of being alone in this environment, but with this comes dangers. Wary travellers with knowledge have low risk but casual visitors to these regions are at a very high risk for problems.

I have spent years in the wilderness of the Arctic where weather is the greatest danger - more than bears. There were rules to follow and failing to follow them could cause grave results. While living in Ikaluktutiak, Nunavut I received a call one day on my radio phone from travellers who were in a difficult situation on the Back River, south and more east of us. Eight men in canoes were moving from an inland drop off point and travelling to the coast to be picked up again before returning home.

Their problem was bears; many bears. The Back River is a wonderful river to canoe but there are shallow stretches with rock and sandbars making travel a little challenging. Portaging is necessary and most people decide to walk their canoe through this stretch of the river. The water is cold and swift and footing is very bad. At this place in the river, these men were confronted with a family of barron grizzly bears. These bears were feeding on dead caribou that perished during the migration. There was an abundance of food for these bears and they were not likely to move any time soon.

The solution was to backtrack and try to move around the bear family or try to paddle through and escape down river. These bears are known as mean bears and will attack without warning if bothered or with cubs. Our advice was to back up a safe distance and wait. A Otter twin engine with tundra tires was to be dispatched and safely pick up the travellers. Tundra tires are huge soft tires which make it possible to land on very rough terrain.

The pilot and myself left and, after the hour and a half flight, were at the scene. We could now see eight bears - and more coming - and the men in the canoes about a mile upstream. The pilot chose a landing area which was acceptable and waited for the people to come to the plane. We were able to take all the men, their gear and two of the six canoes, as there was fear of damage on landing or takeoff.

These men had fear and used good sense and made their trip have a happy ending. Less experienced folk would have chanced the walk through the bears with grave results. I knew these men as they were from down south where I used to live. Their trip was shortened by a day but they came to our town and took advantage of resting up and meeting the Inuit from our hamlet.

Around the campfire that night (really day as the sun did not set) they heard firsthand from the Inuit of the encounters with these bears and were thankful for the choice they made. Bears are powerful animals and deserve the respect shown by these safe and not sorry adventurers.