CARDSTON — Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers have set up bear traps and trail cameras in the province's south after a man was attacked by a grizzly bear over the weekend.
Alberta's public safety ministry says the man was fishing Saturday afternoon along the St. Mary's River near Cardston, about 235 kilometres south of Calgary, when he was charged and attacked by a bear.
"(Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services) believes this was a defensive encounter, as the bear involved was accompanied by two older cubs," the ministry said in an email.
It said the man was initially taken to hospital in Cardston for his injuries but was later transferred to a regional hospital in Lethbridge.
"He was released the following day and is expected to recover."
News of the attack first came to light through a social media post made by Alberta's Parks Minister Todd Loewen, who had originally said the attack took place near Milk River, Alta., about 113 kilometres east of Cardston.
Loewen said the situation was being monitored but that the bear and its cubs had not been seen since the attack.
Fish and Wildlife confirmed later Tuesday that that was still the case, though officers have set up traps and trail cameras in the area.
"It is believed the sow and her cubs have continued along their natural corridor," the ministry said.
Saturday's attack came after multiple bear advisories were issued elsewhere in the province following a number of reports of close encounters with grizzlies in Kananaskis Country.
Those encounters, which included multiple instances of grizzlies reportedly bluff charging hikers, led the province to issue a blanket bear advisory for all provincial parks in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.
Loewen, in his Tuesday post, reminded Albertans to take precautions.
"As always, be careful when in bear country," he said.
Last month, a man in British Columbia was seriously injured after he and his wife were attacked by two grizzly bears in the East Kootenays.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2025.
-- By Jack Farrell in Edmonton.
The Canadian Press
