British Columbia·NewA woman sustained scratches after she was attacked by a mother bear in the Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area near Bailey Street on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Environment and Parks. People are being urged to avoid the area.Woman sustained scratches but didn’t need medical attention, the Ministry of Environment and Parks saysAlanna Kelly · CBC News · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 4:19 PM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes agoA warning sign has been put up at the Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area after a bear attack on Wednesday. (Alanna Kelly/CBC)Conservation officers are warning people to avoid a popular trail in Squamish, B.C., following a bear attack.A woman was walking her leashed dog in the Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area near Bailey Street on Wednesday when she encountered a mother bear and her cubs, according to the Ministry of Environment and Parks. She was attacked but “sustained only scratches and did not seek medical attention,” a ministry spokesperson said. The Conservation Officer Service said in a Facebook post that it had investigated the attack and determined it was “defensive” in nature, as it was a sow with her cubs. Sarah Nolin and her dog Goose frequently use the dog park near where the attack occurred. She said she wasn’t surprised to hear of the incident. “I know there are bears that live near the river here, so I expect it to happen,” said Nolin. “I am pretty comfortable with bears as long as they are no grizzlies.” Since the incident, signs have been installed in the area, and conservation officers are monitoring the situation. The area hasn’t been closed off, but the Conservation Officer Service and District of Squamish have urged people to avoid the trail network and keep dogs leashed at all times. Nolin said she thinks it’s up to pet owners and trail walkers to be aware of wildlife.“If I am in the parks and around the river in this area, I think I am in their space and not vice versa,” she said.In 2024, two separate bear attacks occurred in the same area as the most recent one. WildSafeBC is reminding people not to leave any food unattended, to carry bear spray when recreating outside, and not to try to scare away a bear that has food. ABOUT THE AUTHORAlanna Kelly is a CBC News journalist based in Squamish, B.C., covering the Sea-to-Sky region, including Whistler, Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast. You can email story ideas to alanna.kelly@cbc.ca.
Woman attacked by mother bear while walking dog on Squamish trail
