Bear euthanized after attacking hiker near Whistler in Callaghan Conservancy

A woman was attacked by a bear in the backcountry near Whistler on Friday when a group of three hikers encountered two bears near Conflict Lake in the Callaghan Conservancy around 5 p.m. PT on September 5, 2026.

One bear attacked a member of the group before disengaging. The injured hiker received first aid at the scene and was transported to hospital by helicopter. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries including a severely lacerated leg, according to Brad Sills, Whistler Search and Rescue president.

B.C. Conservation Officer Service Predator Attack Team responded along with Squamish RCMP and Squamish Search and Rescue. Officers conducted a safety sweep at the attack site and located an adult male black bear, which conservation officers euthanized due to public safety concerns. Trail access in the area has been closed while the investigation continues, with warning signs posted at access points. Officials have not yet determined whether the euthanized bear was the attacking animal or the second bear, nor have they confirmed the species of the attacking animal.

Sills noted the area is known grizzly habitat and emphasized the importance of constant vocalizing while hiking in such terrain: "It's not enough to call out intermittently when you're hiking, when you're in known grizzly bear terrain, you need to be calling out all the time."