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Bear attacks 2 Vancouver Island men
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 | 12:01 PM PT Comments51Recommend43
CBC News

Two Vancouver Island men were attacked by a bear while they camped near Port Alberni Wednesday morning, the RCMP says.

The two men, aged 47 and 57, from Sooke, B.C., were camping in an area known as Taylor Flats at the west end of Sproat Lake.

"The bear initially attacked the 57-year-old male who was sleeping in a lean-to type shelter. His 47-year-old friend, sleeping nearby in a tent, was alerted to the attack and was able to fight off the bear," said Sgt. Kevin Murray.

Both men received extensive claw mark wounds in the attack, but were able to get to the West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni for treatment. But the 57-year-old also sustained an injury to his skull and was later transported to Nanaimo for surgery.

Police said the men had been camping in the secluded area for a number of days and had encountered the bear in and around their camp on the first day. But they said they don't know what, if anything, provoked the attack.

The bear is believed to weigh about 150 pounds, said police.

Murray, of the Port Alberni RCMP, advised the public to be extra cautious in the area.

"Police and conservation want to remind people visiting the backcountry to be extra vigilant in protecting themselves and their camp from wildlife encounters," he said.

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