‘Beloved’ Man Airlifted to the Hospital After Being Mauled by a Grizzly Bear While Hunting

A man is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by a grizzly bear while hunting in Alberta, Canada.

The incident occurred on Thursday, Oct. 30, in an area south of Cochrane, according to reports from CBC, CTV News, and The Winnipeg Sun, citing Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials.

“The bear involved in the attack was shot by the survivor’s hunting partner and is believed to be deceased,” Alberta provincial spokesperson Sheena Campbell said in a statement to CBC. “A second bear, age unknown, fled the scene after the encounter.”

The victim, identified on GoFundMe as Jesse Sayer, was airlifted to the hospital by emergency services. Paramedics told CTV News that Sayer was in serious condition upon arrival but later stabilized. As of Oct. 31, he was reported to be in non-life-threatening condition.

According to The Winnipeg Sun, an EMS spokesperson said Sayer suffered multiple injuries across his body but did not provide specific details.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife said they plan to collect DNA samples from the scene to confirm whether the bear that was shot was the one responsible for the attack. They also intend to assess the area to determine what led to the encounter.

The Carstairs Minor Hockey Association (CMHA) shared on Facebook that Sayer is “a beloved coach, volunteer, and Vice President of Carstairs Minor Hockey.” The organization added, “We are incredibly thankful that Jesse survived and remains in good spirits as he begins a long road to recovery.”

Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen described the attack as “a pretty serious incident,” telling CTV News, “Our hearts go out to the person that was injured in this incident, and we hope he’ll make a full recovery.”

Loewen also noted that authorities have recently observed grizzly bears appearing in areas they haven’t been seen in for centuries. “We’ve got to make sure people know they can encounter grizzly bears virtually anywhere in the province now,” he said.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife issued a bear safety warning on Facebook on Oct. 29, noting that sightings typically increase in the fall and early winter as bears prepare for hibernation. The agency advised residents to secure food and garbage in airtight containers and to place bins outside only in the morning, rather than at night, to reduce the risk of attracting bears.