- DNA evidence has linked four grizzly bears to the fatal attack on a mother and daughter in Bella Coola, Canada, according to officials.
- More than a dozen conservation officers participated in the response, helping recover the victims, collect evidence, and locate the bears while working in difficult terrain and weather conditions.
Four grizzly bears have been confirmed through DNA testing as responsible for the tragic deaths of Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, near Bella Coola. The bears were euthanized by the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service to protect public safety, following established human-wildlife conflict response guidelines.
The attack occurred after Balcarras and Reed went for a walk near their home. Family members reported them missing when Balcarras failed to attend a scheduled online meeting. Their bodies were subsequently recovered on November 2 and 3, respectively. Insp. Jeff Tyre expressed condolences, stating, "This was a heartbreaking event for the families, the Nuxalk Nation and the Bella Coola community. We hope the efforts of everyone who responded, along with these findings, bring some measure of closure."
The investigation indicated that the encounter likely involved predatory behavior, although details of the attack remain unclear. Additionally, DNA testing confirmed that these bears were not involved in a separate incident that injured 11 people, including students and teachers, during a school outing near Bella Coola.
More than a dozen conservation officers participated in the recovery and evidence collection efforts, navigating challenging terrain and weather conditions.2
“Insp. Jeff Tyre called the event heartbreaking for the families, the Nuxalk Nation, and the Bella Coola community. More than a dozen conservation officers worked in difficult terrain and weather to recover victims, collect evidence, and locate the bears.”
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