Imagine being face-to-face with a grizzly bear, its jaws clamped around your head, and somehow finding the strength to fight back. That’s exactly what Joe Pendry, a 63-year-old man from British Columbia, did earlier this month—but here’s where it gets heartbreaking: despite his incredible survival story, Joe tragically passed away weeks later due to complications from the attack. This raises a chilling question: Can even the most experienced outdoorsmen truly outwit nature’s most formidable predators?
On October 2, Joe was elk hunting near Fort Steele, just northeast of Cranbrook, when he stumbled upon a mother grizzly bear and her two cubs. What happened next was nothing short of a battle for survival. Drawing on his years of experience as a boxer and outdoor hunting guide, Joe fought back with everything he had. His wife, Janice Pendry, later recounted the harrowing details: Joe fired his gun at the charging bear, striking its leg, but the animal didn’t stop. At one point, his head was in the bear’s jaws. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Joe punched the bear and even bit its ear, enduring gruesome injuries in the process. His lips and part of his scalp were torn off, he lost a finger, and he suffered a broken nose, cheekbones, arms, and ribs. But this is the part most people miss: despite the severity of his injuries, Joe managed to fend off the bear, call 911, and alert his son for help. He was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damage.
Tragically, Joe’s fight didn’t end there. On Saturday, Janice confirmed that he had died from a blood clot, a complication stemming from his injuries. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) later identified the bear responsible for the attack through DNA analysis, revealing it had died of sepsis days after the encounter. This sparks a controversial debate: Was the bear’s death a result of Joe’s actions, or was it already weakened?
According to B.C.’s Environment Ministry, the sow had two cubs with her, though their ages were unknown. Cubs typically stay with their mother until their fourth summer, so it’s possible they were old enough to survive on their own. While grizzly bear attacks are rare—WildSafeBC reports that the COS receives only 400 to 500 calls annually regarding grizzlies—they can be fatal. But here’s the thought-provoking question: As human activity increasingly encroaches on wildlife habitats, are such encounters becoming more inevitable?
Joe’s story is a stark reminder of the raw power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. It also highlights the importance of understanding and respecting wildlife. For those venturing into bear country, WildSafeBC offers valuable tips on how to avoid dangerous encounters. What do you think? Is it possible to strike a balance between human exploration and wildlife conservation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
