Two polar bears shot after attack injures two people in Churchill

A polar bear walks in Churchill, Manitoba. (File Image: Barbara Walley)

A polar bear attack in Churchill injured two people Friday morning, said RCMP.

Just after 5:00 a.m. on Nov. 1, 69-year-old Bill Ayott left his home when he heard a bear confront two pedestrians. The bear then attacked him, but ran off when a vehicle drove towards it.

Later Friday morning, RCMP learned a 30-year-old woman had also been injured in the polar bear attack, but left the scene prior to police arriving.

Friday evening, a Winnipeg Regional Health Authority spokesperson confirmed both victims arrived in Winnipeg and were in stable condition at Health Sciences Centre.

Residents woke up to the sound of screaming. “They were screaming, ‘Let us in. Let us in. There's a bear. Let us in,'” said Didier Foubert-Allen.

“I saw that this bear was pounding on top of Bill,” he said. “I ran back inside, grabbed my gun. I was in nothing but my boxers and I started shooting.”

The commotion woke up other neighbours, too. “By the time I got out there, a couple of local boys had shotguns and cracker shells had scared the bear off Bill,” said Doug Webber.

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship tracked the polar bear. They shot and killed it, and another bear in the process. Manitoba Conservation officials said bears are more active this time of year.

“As we get closer to freeze-up and winter, they are anxious to get back onto the ice to hunt seals and they start moving more, so it’s always busier this time of year,” said Pierce Roberts from Conservation.

This is the second attack in Churchill in two months. In late Septemeber, another man survived an encounter with a polar bear.

The town's mayor says people are shaken. “The community is feeling down, in terms of the maulings,” said Michael Spence, Churchill mayor. “Anytime something like this happens, it's traumatic.”

Staying safe is about being alert and bear-smart, and most long-time residents are, said Spence.

“Everyone leaves a door open, so if they do get attacked, if they see a bear, they do run in,” said Webber.

Conservation officials recommend people drive where they need to go, or walk in groups. If someone comes across a polar bear, walk away from it, and usually the bear won't pay attention.

- With a report by Ina Sidhu