Angler attacked by grizzly bear near Cardston on Aug. 23

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

An angler fishing along the St. Mary River, south of Cardston is recovering after a recent attack by a grizzly bear. 

Ministry officials said Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) received a report of a bear attack on the afternoon of August 23. A man was fishing along the river when a bear charged and attacked him.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are now confirming it is the first bear attack reported in Southern Alberta this summer. 

In a follow-up email, officials said the individual involved in the grizzly bear encounter was fishing alone when the incident occurred. Following the attack, he was able to walk out of the area and locate his father-in-law, who had been fishing in a different section nearby. The father-in-law then transported the victim to the hospital.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services believes this was a defensive encounter, as the bear involved was accompanied by two older cubs, officials noted in an email. 

“The individual sustained injuries and was initially transported to Cardston Hospital, and later transferred to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge,” read the email. “He was released the following day and is expected to recover.”

After responding to the incident, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services conducted an investigation and is currently working to locate the bear involved. Officers have deployed a total of three traps in the area and continue to monitor the situation closely.

“To date, FWES has not issued any bear advisories specifically for southern Alberta this summer,” officials said in the follow-up email. “However, some advisories may have been active in parks and protected areas such as Kananaskis Country, which are monitored by Alberta Parks.”

Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, shared the weekend bear attack on social media in a Facebook post on August 26 and warned people to “be careful when in bear country.” 

Ministry officials said it is believed the sow and her cubs continued along their natural corridor and there have been no new bear sightings, and the bears have not returned to the site. 

“As part of standard procedures in bear country – especially during the active spring and summer months – FWES uses a combination of education, enforcement, and proactive mitigation measures to reduce conflict and help keep both people and wildlife safe,” officials said in the follow-up email.  

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are reminding the public to exercise caution and remain bear-aware when in bear country. 

To report any dangerous wildlife activity, call 1-800-642-3800. For more information on staying safe in bear country, visit http://www.alberta.ca/alberta-bearsmart-program-overview