A Mission, British Columbia, resident was injured early Monday morning after being swatted by a black bear on his back porch [1].
The incident highlights the risks of human-wildlife conflict in residential areas where bears frequently roam. While many residents are accustomed to deterring bears with noise, this encounter demonstrates that such methods can fail and lead to physical injury.
Gordon Gwyn said the encounter began at approximately 3:30 a.m. [1]. The confrontation occurred after Gwyn's dog reacted to the presence of the animal on the property [2]. Gwyn went outside to deter the bear using noise, a tactic he had used successfully in the past.
"I went out expecting to see a bear and sure enough the bear was there, but every time before now you yell, ‘Hey get out of here’ and they go," Gwyn said [1].
Despite these efforts, the bear swatted Gwyn, causing injuries to one person [2]. The attack took place directly on the back porch of his home [3].
Local reports indicate the bear was on the property before the physical altercation occurred [2]. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife behavior during early morning hours when visibility is low and animals may be more defensive.
““I went out expecting to see a bear and sure enough the bear was there...””
This incident underscores the volatility of bear encounters in suburban British Columbia. While noise-based deterrents are common practice, the failure of this method in a residential setting suggests that bears may become less responsive to traditional scaring tactics or may react aggressively when provoked by domestic animals.
