Ongoing Search for Grizzlies After Attack on School Children in Bella Coola

Conservation officers in British Columbia are actively searching for three grizzly bears that attacked a group of elementary school students in Bella Coola this past Thursday. Residents have noted a rise in bear encounters in recent years within the community.

According to Sgt. Jeff Tyre, officers have deployed trail cameras and have focused their search in the vicinity of the 4 Mile subdivision, where the incident took place. Thus far, only one bear has been sighted, and it was located far from the scene of the attack.

The unfortunate attack involved three students and a teacher requiring hospitalization after bears confronted approximately 20 individuals, comprising Grade 4 and 5 students along with their educators. This shocking event unfolded while the group was enjoying lunch during a field trip.

It’s suspected that a mother bear and her two cubs were implicated.

Bella Coola, a small community nestled among mountains and lush rainforest, has increasingly reported bear sightings, raising alarms among its inhabitants.

Nuxalk Nation hereditary chief Noel Pootlass remarked that new grizzly bears began entering the valley around 2018, likely driven from their previous habitats due to factors like logging, drought, and forest fires. He believes the local bear population may have surged, possibly doubling or tripling since that time.

Concerns have emerged as community members have reported bears entering homes in search of food, raising serious safety alarms.

Local resident Maryanne Gurr shared her own experience with bears on her property, including one that broke into her home, expressing her fears but desire for a non-lethal resolution. “I just want a solution where we're all safe together,” she remarked.

This incident has reignited discussions surrounding British Columbia’s ban on grizzly bear hunting, implemented in 2017, which includes exceptions for First Nations for food, social, and ceremonial reasons.

Conservation officials are working to trap the involved bears, gather DNA evidence, and collaborate with wildlife experts to identify the bears responsible for the attack. Bears not implicated will be relocated.

Local residents are being advised to avoid the 4 Mile subdivision, remain indoors, and refrain from searching for the bears on their own.