Bear Attacks 73-Year-Old Woman Walking in Montana as Husband Uses Bear Spray to Rescue Her
The couple was walking with their dog on national forestland near the U.S.-Canada border when the bear came out of thick brush and attacked
Peter Zenkl/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Authorities are not sure if the woman was attacked by a black bear (seen here) or a grizzly bear.A 73-year-old woman was injured in a bear encounter near the Montana-Canada border, authorities said.
The victim was on national forestland with her husband and their dog when the bear emerged from thick brush and attacked her on Sunday afternoon, according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks news release.
After the man deployed bear spray, the animal retreated from their location along the banks of Trail Creek and a few miles west of the North Fork Road, and the couple returned to their car where they were able to call emergency services, Montana FWP said.
The woman was transported by A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana.
Related: Couple and Their Dog Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack at Canadian National Park: 'Tragic Incident'
Montana FWP has closed the site where the encounter occurred as they investigate the attack. The agency said it has not confirmed the type of bear involved..
Sunday’s incident comes on the heels of a deadly grizzly bear attack in Canada’s Banff National Park.
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A couple and their dog were killed in Red Deer River Valley last week, shortly before the bear was euthanized for displaying "aggressive behavior."
"This is a tragic incident, and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," Banff National Park said in a statement.
Kim Titchener, a friend of the family and the founder of Bear Safety and More, told Reuters that bear encounters are increasing as more people go outside, but that fatal attacks are rare.
"It's really just the reason why we're seeing more attacks, which is more people heading outdoors and unfortunately not being educated on this," she said.
Related: How to Prevent Bear Attacks and What to Do If a Bear Approaches You, According to Experts
In August, a Montana man shot and killed a bear after the animal broke into his home early in the morning at the base of the Beartooth Mountains.
Thomas Bolkcom and his fiancée, Seeley Oblander, were sleeping when one of their dogs began barking at about 3 a.m. at their residence in the small town of Luther.
Neither the couple nor their dogs were injured in the incident.
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