How B.C. man rescued himself from jaws of grizzly that ripped off his lips and scalp

Joe Pendry, a 63-year-old man, survived a grizzly bear attack while hunting elk near Fort Steele, British Columbia, on October 2. The bear, which had two cubs, charged at Pendry, who shot it in the leg but was still attacked. Using his boxing skills, he punched and bit the bear, suffering severe injuries that included the loss of a finger and parts of his scalp. After fending off the bear, Pendry managed to call for help and was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries. The BC Conservation Officer Service later confirmed that a dead grizzly found in the area was responsible for the attack, with reports indicating it died of sepsis.

Janice Pendry stated that her husband’s experiences helped him survive, but he is now dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. This incident highlights the dangers of wildlife encounters, especially in areas where bears are known to roam. Pendry may never return to his job as a foreman due to his injuries.