Nature isn't a Disney movie. We forget that sometimes when we’re packing the kayak and eyeing a pristine shoreline in the Canadian wilderness. For Mark Jordan and Jacqueline Perry, a 2005 trip to the backcountry of Ontario was supposed to be a two-week escape into the quiet.
It turned into a fight for survival that people still talk about twenty years later.
If you’ve seen the movie Backcountry, you know the vibe. But the real story of what went down at Missinaibi Lake Provincial Park is actually much more intense—and heartbreaking—than anything Hollywood put on screen.
The Attack at Missinaibi Lake
It was September 6. Mark and Jacqueline, both 30 at the time, were at a remote campsite about 80 kilometers north of Chapleau. Jacqueline was a family doctor. Mark was her husband, her partner in adventure. They were doing everything right. They were experienced.
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Then, a black bear appeared.
Usually, black bears are the "scaredy cats" of the bear world. They usually huff, puff, and run away if you make enough noise. Not this one. This particular bear was predatory. It didn't want their granola bars; it wanted them.
The bear went for Jacqueline first.
A Swiss Army Knife Against 300 Pounds
Imagine being in the middle of nowhere. No cell service. No help for miles. Mark Jordan didn't just stand there. He grabbed the only thing he had: a small Swiss Army knife.
He tackled the bear.
He stabbed the animal repeatedly in the neck and head while it was dragging his wife toward the brush. It sounds like something out of a thriller, but this was real life. Mark actually managed to wound the bear enough that it let go of Jacqueline.
But they weren't safe yet.
Mark, despite being badly bitten and clawed himself, dragged Jacqueline to the beach. He got her into their kayak. He paddled like his life depended on it—because it did—until he found another group of campers.
The Aftermath and the Star of Courage
Jacqueline Perry didn't make it. Despite the help of other campers and a doctor who happened to be nearby, her injuries were too severe. She died before they could reach the park office.
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Mark survived, but the physical toll was massive. He needed roughly 300 stitches to put his body back together.
The grief? You can't put a number on that.
In 2007, Canada recognized his sheer bravery. Governor General Michaëlle Jean presented Mark Jordan with the Star of Courage. It’s one of the highest honors a civilian can get for "acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril."
Why This Story Lingers
Honestly, the reason this story still pops up in search results and gets shared in hiking groups is the "what if" factor. We all like to think we’d be the hero. We think we’d grab the pocket knife and fight the beast.
But seeing it actually happen—and seeing the tragic cost—stays with you.
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It also changed how people think about black bears in the Ontario backcountry. It was a wake-up call that "predatory" behavior is rare, but it exists. The bear involved was eventually found and killed by authorities; it had a neck wound exactly where Mark said he’d stabbed it.
Lessons for the Backcountry
You shouldn't stop hiking. You shouldn't stop kayaking. But you’ve gotta be smart. Most experts now look at the Mark Jordan and Jacqueline Perry case as a textbook example of why bear spray is non-negotiable. A knife is a last resort. Spray is a deterrent.
- Carry Bear Spray: Keep it on your hip, not in your bag.
- Make Noise: Don't surprise them.
- Watch for Signs: If a bear is following you or doesn't run when you yell, it’s not a "cute" encounter. It’s a threat.
If you’re planning a trip to Northern Ontario or any bear country, take a weekend to learn about bear behavior. Knowing the difference between a defensive bear and a predatory one can change your entire reaction in the field. Read up on the latest Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines before you head out.