Four grizzlies linked to fatal Bella Coola attack killed

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says DNA testing linked a sow and her three cubs to the fatal grizzly bear attack on Jennifer Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed, in Bella Coola. The four bears were killed after being captured, Inspector Jeff Tyre said Tuesday, November 10, citing public safety and provincial wildlife conflict guidelines.

Tyre said the investigation found the attack likely involved predatory behaviour, which he described as very rare. He said the service did not know how the attack began. The assessment is the Conservation Officer Service’s characterization; the reports did not include independent wildlife analysis of the behaviour.

Balcarras, 48, and Reed, 20, were reported missing after going for a walk on November 1. Their bodies were found on trails near the community, about 150 metres apart, according to reports. The attack occurred in the Bella Coola area of British Columbia.

The bears were captured in the days following the attack. Tyre said evidence from the investigation and DNA analysis conclusively connected all four to it. He said bears involved in fatal attacks on people cannot be rehabilitated or relocated and are killed to reduce risk to...