Key Takeaways
- A grizzly sow and two cubs are likely involved in the attack on a school group in Bella Coola, B.C.
- The attack left two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt
- The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) is working to safely trap the animals, collect DNA, and determine whether the bears caught are the ones involved in the attack
- Residents are being asked to avoid the 4 Mile subdivision and stay indoors to ensure their safety
Introduction to the Incident
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has confirmed that a grizzly sow and two cubs were likely involved in the attack on a school group in Bella Coola, B.C. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, when the school group stopped along a trail near the community for lunch. Unfortunately, the attack left two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt, according to emergency officials.
Investigation and Search Efforts
BCCOS Sgt. Jeff Tyre stated that officers have been placing traps and snare sets in the area, but no bears have been captured yet. The investigation is ongoing, and the information gathered so far suggests that a sow and two cubs were involved in the incident. The BCCOS is working to safely trap the animals, collect DNA, and determine whether the bears caught are the ones involved in the attack. An RCMP helicopter is using thermal imaging to help the search, and eight field conservation officers and a First Nations liaison officer are on the ground.
Response and Precautions
The BCCOS is urging residents to avoid the 4 Mile subdivision and stay indoors to ensure their safety. Residents are also advised not to search for the bears themselves, as this is a fluid and dangerous situation. Anyone with information or who wants to report a bear sighting is asked to contact the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277. The BCCOS is prepared to deploy more resources if needed and is working with wildlife veterinarians to determine the outcome once the bears involved are identified.
Safety and Next Steps
The BCCOS is taking a cautious approach to the situation, and no decisions have been made about whether the bears involved would be killed. Sgt. Tyre emphasized that the goal is to safely trap the animals and determine the best course of action. The BCCOS is asking the public to respect the situation and allow them to do their job. The investigation and search efforts are ongoing, and the BCCOS will provide updates as more information becomes available.
