( CNN ) -- An elderly couple survived a bear attack in rural British Columbia , and authorities are hunting for the animal . The attack , near the southeastern city of Kimberley , apparently happened Sunday while a husband and wife were out on an afternoon walk , Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesperson Sgt . Laurie Jalbert said . The woman was walking in front when she encountered a brown bear and cubs who were near a dead deer . The bear turned on the woman , Jalbert said , and her husband tried to help her . The bear then turned on him and began attacking him , then turned back to her . Somehow the couple managed to fight the animal off , and it left , Jalbert said . The husband is in his 80s . The wife is in her 60s . Both were rushed to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary and remain in stable condition . Both have head wounds and bites on their arms and legs . Jalbert said authorities believe the bear was a grizzly , but the husband said he thought it might be a black bear . If a bear is determined to have attacked someone , often it is put down , Jalbert said . During this time of year in that area , bears are starting to hibernate . Because this bear has cubs , it may be out of its den longer to gather food , Jalbert said .
Couple out for walk survives bear attack near Kimberley , British Columbia . The husband , in his 80s , tried to help his wife , in her 60s , but the bear turned on him . Conservation authorities are looking for the bear , police say , and it may be put down .