Victim in stable condition after attack while gardening

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COQUITLAM, B.C. - A bear that mauled a B.C. woman in her own suburban driveway was likely drawn into the area by garbage or food scraps and may have seen the victim as its next meal, a conservation official said yesterday.

The woman, who hasn't yet been identified, was rushed to hospital yesterday morning after a 250-pound black bear confronted her while she was gardening in her yard in Coquitlam, just east of Vancouver.

She is in stable condition with serious injuries on her arms and head and with bite marks all over her body, police said.

Rick Hahn, of the Conservation Officer Service, said the area, which borders mountains and deep forest, is a natural hotspot for bears.

"It's normal bear habitat. And the problem with that residential area is that there's a lot of people who don't store their garbage properly. It draws in the bears from their natural habitat and it puts people at risk."

Police said neighbours rushed to help after hearing the woman's screams, throwing rocks to divert the bear's attention.

After a two- or three-minute struggle, the bear went behind the house where it was later shot and killed by police officers.

Hahn said the fact the woman turned and ran after seeing the bear may have prompted the attack.

"But if she faced it and stood there, that's probably a more preventive action to take."

Still, while attacks are extremely rare, this encounter was likely predatory -- meaning the bear considered the woman to be a food source, he said.

Tony Arcari, who lives up the street from the victim, said it's not unusual to see bears in the neighbourhood.

"We haven't had any confrontations, but we do get them in the yard often, basically, eating plums off plum trees or berries out of the garden. Then they jump the fence and disappear into the forest."