A grizzly bear attack in the McGregor Range area northeast of Prince George, B.C., has prompted trail closures and a public alert.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the bear attacked two hikers Sunday, and that specialists were sent to investigate the circumstances.
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News an air ambulance was dispatched to the area around 3 p.m., and that paramedics provided emergency treatment at the scene.
The hikers were then “transported to the Prince George Airport, where they were met by two grand ambulances and transported on to further care,” said BCEHS spokesperson Brian Twaites, in a statement.
One hiker was in critical condition and the other was in stable condition, Twaites said.
In a social media post, conservation officers urged the public to avoid the Pass Lake area until further notice out of “an abundance of caution.”
“Trails in the area will be closed until investigations are concluded,” the BCCOS added.
Conservation officers received 63 calls regarding grizzly bear conflicts in August, the latest month for which data are available on the B.C. government’s website.
Officers attended 13 of those calls, one of which resulted in a bear being destroyed.