Elk hunter remains in hospital after B.C. grizzly bear attack

This July 6, 2011 file photo shows a grizzly bear roaming near Beaver Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart, File)

A hunter who was attacked by a grizzly bear in B.C.’s Kootenay region last week remains in hospital, according to officials, who have not yet been able to locate the potentially injured animal.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service first reported the incident in a social media post Thursday, saying the person was seriously injured in Fort Steele by a sow and her cubs, and airlifted to hospital for treatment.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, but the person may have inadvertently attracted the animal and her young by “elk calling,” the BCCOS said in an update Friday.

“Initial information was that the hunter was able to fire off one shot in self defense but it is unknown if the bear was hit,” Friday’s post said, adding that drone and helicopter searches of the area were unable to locate the bear or cubs.

“At this point the BCCOS has not been able to speak to the victim of the attack due to his injuries,” the update added.

A spokesperson for the province told CTV news Sunday, in an email, that the hunter remains in hospital and the bear has not been found.