Grizzly bear
Grizzly bear
A man was attacked by a grizzly bear Sunday near Forum Lake in Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park in southeastern British Columbia.

The unidentified man was attacked after he surprised the bear as he was hiking in the area, which can be accessed from the Akamina Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta.

"There was an encounter between a hiker and a bear," said John Stoesser, a spokesman for Waterton. "Parks Canada responded to a request for assistance."

He said they sent three people to help, but referred any further comment to BC Parks.

The province's environment ministry declined an interview request, but sent out a statement Monday afternoon confirming that they responded after a man was attacked by "what is suspected to be a male grizzly bear" on Sunday.

His injuries — believed to be bites on his arm — were not considered life-threatening.

The statement from public affairs officer Danielle Bell added that the man was transported by rangers to the Akamina Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park, where they were met by paramedics.

The man was then transported to Lethbridge Hospital.

Bell said Forum Lake Trail, which is on the way to the popular Akamina Ridge, has been closed and warning signs have been posted in the area.

Access, however, is now limited because the Akamina Parkway remains closed to vehicle traffic and the shuttle service that was being run by Parks Canada ended on Sunday.

Officials with the BC government continue to investigate the incident.