Conservation officers kill four grizzlies after fatal attack in Bella Coola

Animal DNA linked the sow and cubs to the two deaths

The British Columbia Conservation Office Service said four grizzly bears — a sow and her three cubs — were killed after investigators linked the animals to a fatal attack in Bella Coola. Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, died earlier this month after an afternoon walk in a trail area.

The service launched an investigation into Balcarras and Reed’s deaths. Forensic testing later confirmed that a sow and her three cubs were responsible. BCCOS Inspector Jeff Tyre said investigators analyzed evidence from the investigation and animal DNA, conclusively linking the animals to the attack.

In a Tuesday update, Tyre said all four bears were destroyed “in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines” to protect the public.

Tyre said the attack “likely involved predatory behaviour”, which he described as “very rare”.

More than a dozen conservation officers took part in the investigation over the past week, amid “difficult terrain and weather”, Tyre said.

Balcarras and Reed were “two peas in a pod” who “got along really, really well” and shared many hobbies, Balcarras’s brother Josh told CBC. “When Jenny hiked, Selah was right there beside her,” he said.

DNA testing also confirmed that the four bears were not involved in a 2025 attack on a school group in the Bella Coola area. The incident in November of the prior year injured 11 people, two critically, and the bear responsible was never found.

In a statement, Samuel Schooner, Elected Chief of the Nuxalk Nation, said: “Today, we have learned from the BC Conservation Officer Service members that they have captured and euthanized the bears involved in the recent fatal attack.” He also said: “We would like to thank the BC Conservation Officer Service for their dedication and hard work to resolve this incident.”

Schooner said, “This attack has been deeply re-triggering for our community members as we continue to recover from last year’s attack.” He added: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families.”

A BBC News file image accompanying the report stated that an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 grizzly bears live in British Columbia.