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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Six Campers Roused By Grizzly Bear Four Hospitalized After 3 A.M. Attack; Warnings Were Issued After Earlier Sighting

Associated Press

Six tourists sleeping in a campground, two of them from Montana, were injured Monday after a grizzly bear pounced on their tents in the dead of night, mauling and biting some of the occupants.

The female bear, which may weigh as much as 400 pounds, tore through three tents pitched on separate sites in a campground near Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies.

The attack occurred about 3 a.m., said Bob Haney, chief warden at Banff National Park. A 1-1/2-year-old bear cub believed to be with the mother was likely also involved.

The three pairs of campers, from Australia, Germany and the United States, are all in their early 20s but none was seriously hurt. The two Americans are women from Montana.

“They just started loud screaming and yelling and I guess the one Australian hit the bear a couple of times with his hand,” said Haney.

Two of the tourists who were not identified were being treated for cuts, bites and punctures in Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.

Two others - Andrew Brodie of Australia and Algis Povilavicius of Germany - were in fair condition in Foothills Hospital in Calgary.

Tanya Aberle-Povilavicius of Germany and Laura Shearin of Montana were treated and released.

Hometowns of the tourists were not released.

Park wardens evacuated the campground, located just outside the village at Lake Louise, while they searched for the animals.

Walking and cycling trails in a nearly four-mile area were closed but vehicle traffic was allowed to pass through.

Haney said the bears will probably be killed.

“(If we didn’t), it would be putting someone else at risk. It doesn’t matter how far into the wilderness they are relocated.”

The bears were first sighted in the area last week and warnings were given to residents and campers.

Haney said he doesn’t know what sparked the attack, one of the worst he has seen in 28 years.

“It’s not a standard situation of a surprise encounter or where a bear had been (attracted) by garbage.”

He said the campers had properly locked their food in special storage bins at the campground.

Rabies and hunger have also been ruled out.

The tourists were lucky to escape, he said.

“They certainly sustained a lot of abuse but it could have been much worse.

“Any time you have a confrontation with a grizzly or black bear it is very serious.”

Lake Louise is one of the most popular spots in the national park.

The lake, known for its scenic beauty, has been widely photographed by tourists from around the world.