Canadian hiker stranded for three months found

A Canadian hiker stranded in the wilderness for three months has been found alive despite being attacked by a bear.

An experienced outdoor enthusiast survived being stranded for three months in the Canadian wilderness, and survived a bear attack thanks to his dog. Picture: Hemedia

Marco Lavoie was protected from the attack by his German Shepherd, but was found starving and dehydrated by police in heavy snow.

Sergeant Ronald McInnes told the Telegraph that the dog had helped Mr Lavoie, 44, fend off the bear, but could not prevent the destruction of the experienced outdoor enthusiast’s survival equipment.

Anonymous sources have claimed that the dog, who did not survive the three-month ordeal, may have been eaten by Mr Lavoie.

Police were alerted to Mr Lavoie’s disappearance after his daughter contacted police on October 21. He had set off on a canoeing trip on the Nottaway river on July 16.

Police eventually found Mr Lavoie on October 30 after heavy snowstorms had prevented search and rescue helicopter flights. He was found shortly after his canoe was spotted, and had lost half his bodyweight.

“We think he would have been dead within a day or two,” Sgt McInnis said.

Mr Lavoie, who was found suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and starvation, said he had survived by hunting and fishing until shortly after the bear attack, when an ankle injury had limited his mobility.

Mr Lavoie is in hospital and is expected to recover.