**Related Video Above: Black bear spotted in Wooster this summer
CRESTON, British Columbia (WJW) — A man is recovering from “significant injuries” following a bear attack in the Canadian province of British Columbus over the weekend, according to authorities.
A couple was riding e-bikes near the Kootenay River in Creston Saturday around 4:30 p.m. when two grizzly bears reportedly came for them, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) of British Columbia said in a release.
The woman told investigators she heard her husband scream and she saw a bear running at her. She quickly pulled out bear spray and used it on the animal, the service said in the statement, and that’s when she saw another bear attacking her husband.
“She again used bear spray and both bears ran off,” COS said in the statement. “Emergency services were called and the man was transported to hospital in Cranbrook by ambulance, where he underwent surgery.”
The bear attack led to the closure of three trails in the area while a search for the bears was underway.
On Monday afternoon, COS released an update to their investigation saying they determined the attack to be “defensive in nature” and are therefore ceasing a search for the bears.
They said they believe the bears were startled by the bikers and that “no evidence was found to suggest either bear had been stalking or hunting the couple.”
In the meantime, the trails near where the attack took place are remaining closed out of an abundance of caution. Anyone who is hiking or adventuring in bear country is reminded to bring bear spray.