Locals are being asked to avoid the Coho Park area after a startling bear encounter on Aug. 19.
Officers from the Conservation Officers Service (COS) are investigating after a hiker was attacked by a black bear on Coho Trail on Saturday evening.
According to a social media COS post, the woman was hiking along the trail at about 7 p.m. when she encountered a black bear near the second trestle bridge.
"As she attempted to retreat by jumping down to one side of the bridge, the bear followed and swatted her," the post reads.
"The woman used a piece of lumber to defend herself. A passing cyclist came to her aid and helped fight the bear off. The bear disengaged but continued to follow the pair."
According to the COS, the hiker was not seriously injured.
COS Officers and RCMP members patrolled the area last night and did not spot the bear.
They are back today looking for the animal.
In consultation with the District of Squamish, Coho Park in Garibaldi Estates and the area north towards Garibaldi Springs are closed, and signs have been put up.
After an incident near the Squamish Valley Golf course on Thursday, an alert was sent out Friday to avoid the trails in that area as well.
These incidents come after, on Aug. 13, a local mom had a scary encounter with a coyote that seemed to be ready to pounce on her toddler at a Garibaldi Highlands park.
Wildlife encounters can be reported to the COS on its 24/7 hot-line: 1-877-952-7277.
For more information on black bears, check out the WildSafeBC page and the video below.
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