In the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, Joe Pendry, a 63-year-old, faced a life-threatening encounter with a mother grizzly bear while hunting elk near Fort Steele in early October. Despite shooting the bear in the leg, Pendry found himself in a fierce struggle as the animal continued to charge at him and his attempts to defend himself became increasingly desperate.
With his background in boxing, Pendry resorted to punching and even biting the bear’s ear in a bid to survive. The brutal attack resulted in severe injuries, including torn lips and scalp, a lost finger, broken bones, and other wounds. Pendry’s wife, Janice Pendry, recounted how her husband fought valiantly, even with his head inside the bear’s mouth at one point.
After managing to fend off the bear, Pendry called for help and was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital for multiple surgeries to address his extensive injuries. The incident was later linked to a dead grizzly bear found in the area, confirming its involvement in the attack.
Pendry’s boxing and outdoor hunting expertise played a crucial role in his survival, according to his wife. While he faces a challenging road to recovery and battles post-traumatic stress disorder, Pendry’s resilience and skills proved instrumental in overcoming the odds in a harrowing grizzly bear attack that few people survive.
The aftermath of the incident has taken a toll on both Pendry and his wife, with the emotional impact weighing heavily on them. As Pendry continues to recuperate, the community rallies around the family in support. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by encounters with wildlife, prompting awareness efforts on bear safety and prevention strategies by organizations like WildSafeBC.