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Bear was charging at man while hunting—his past careers helped him with a narrow escape

The 63-year-old knew he was in danger when he spotted a mother bear and two of her cubs.
PUBLISHED OCT 28, 2025
(L) 63-year-old Joe Pendry attacked by bear. (Cover Image Source: YouTube| CBC News), (R) Grizzly bear growling in forest. (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels| Brett Sayles)
(L) 63-year-old Joe Pendry attacked by bear. (Cover Image Source: YouTube| CBC News), (R) Grizzly bear growling in forest. (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels| Brett Sayles)

Every profession, whether in line with our career interests or not, should teach us something valuable. These lessons can go a long way to shaping our lives. A 63-year-old man named Joe Pendry revealed how his past careers taught him lessons that helped him pull off a narrow escape, CBC News reported. The man was repeatedly attacked by a bear while he was out hunting in East Kootenay, Canada, when he spotted a mother bear and two of her cubs. The mother bear charged at him and repeatedly attempted to attack him but his past careers gave him an incredible shot at saving himself. 

Senior male with wooden stick wearing hat and backpack standing in forest - Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Youngoldman
Senior male with wooden stick wearing hat and backpack standing in forest - Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Youngoldman

Janice Pendry, Joe’s wife, shared the story. As the man was walking, he encountered the bear and cubs. As the bear started charging at him, Joe first shot it in the leg, but in vain. She persisted in approaching him. He had no choice but to fight the creature. He repeatedly punched the bear, bit the creature’s ear and tried everything to defend himself. Unfortunately, the animal was only getting more and more agitated and continued its attack. Being brutally injured already, Joe knew he had to give it his best shot to survive. So he recalled two professions he previously worked in. 

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Alexas Fotos
Wild bear approaching person while growling. Representative Image Source: Pexels | Alexas Fotos

Utilizing his experience as a boxer, the man started punching the bear in the face. He persisted in throwing one punch after the other and it brought him time. It was a tough fight and Joe bravely gave it his all, injuring his bones, fingers, and multiple body parts. Things were getting more and more heated and the bear kept striking. Janice recalled the harrowing situation when Joe’s head was in the bear’s mouth. "That's when she tore his scalp off and did some major damage to his face," she said. Nevertheless, the man persisted in his attempt to free himself and get as far away from the creature as possible. Eventually, he was able to flee and dial 911 and was taken to the hospital. 

Ambulance paramedic with defibrillator performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on cardiac patient lying on emergency stretcher. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by peak STOCK)
Ambulance paramedic attending to patient on emergency stretcher. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by peak STOCK)

After he escaped the bear, his second career helped him get out for good. Since he was an outdoor hunting guide, he was able to find his way through the bushes and terrain. Joe had to undergo multiple surgeries and treatments; his condition wasn’t great but the fact that he had escaped from the attack alive was big news for starters. "It was very touch and go. But he's a tough fighter,” his wife remarked. She was glad that he had survived and was being treated for his injuries. A B.C. Conservation Officer shared a post on Facebook stating that a grizzly bear was found dead at the site.



"The COS recovered the bear and, through DNA analysis, was able to confirm that this was the bear involved in the attack," the post mentioned. The man braved through his treatment for weeks. The experience was a shattering one that left him traumatized, too. He noted how he still dreamed of the bear even weeks after the attack. Unfortunately, in an updated report, it was confirmed on October 25 that Joe passed away due to a blood clot. His brave and determined fight will be remembered and respected. 

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