FERNIE, British Columbia, July 5 (UPI) -- Two men who were exploring the area around Mount Proctor in British Columbia said they were attacked by an angry grizzly bear.
Brian Braconnier and Kevin Farkas of Fernie, B.C., came between a grizzly mother and her cub.
"I heard a growl, and then we both heard a second growl, and we said, 'What was that?'" Farkas said.
The bear knocked Braconnier over, swiped him four times and swung him through the air by his arm, the pair told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Braconnier was able to hit the bear with bear spray, but the bear was undeterred and turned on Farkas, who used a gun to shoot the bear in its paws.
The bear clawed at Farkas, but then turned around and left.
The two men were left with deep puncture wounds and claw marks but no serious injuries.
They were treated and released from local hospitals Thursday.
Both said they plan to return to the area for hunting season.
Conservation officers searched for the bear, but were not able to find her.
If she does have to be put down or is already dead, the cub will be sent to a rescue center, officials told CBC.
