Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1987-10-05
Invested on: 1987-12-11
While prospecting at Oxford Lake, Manitoba on June 16, 1986, geologist Wendy Gibbons rescued a colleague from a 68 kg black bear's attack. The victim had been taking samples of an outcrop when, hearing noises in the surrounding bush, he turned and was confronted by the hungry, sick bear which, contrary to normal behaviour, charged him. He ran into the lake, trying unsuccessfully to keep a small bush between him and the bear, which had, by this time, clawed through his clothing in parts and bitten his hand. He called to Ms. Gibbons, some 180 metres away, and, seeing his predicament, she ran towards him, deliberately making as much noise as possible to distract the bear. When she was within 6 metres of the animal, it charged her and forced her into the lake. She made repeated efforts to distract it so that her colleague was able to gain the shore across an inlet. She then joined him and assisted him to a tree which they climbed to await rescue by other members of their prospecting team.