British Columbia is experiencing an alarming surge in grizzly bear encounters this year, with wildlife experts noting unprecedented activity levels across the province. The situation gained urgent attention following a disturbing attack on elementary students in Bella Coola that left several children injured, some with serious wounds.
Recent Grizzly Incidents Raise Concerns
The attack on the school group near Highway 20 in Bella Coola represents one of several high-profile grizzly encounters that have occurred throughout 2025. This incident marks an extremely rare case of a grizzly bear confronting a large group of people, according to wildlife safety specialists.
Earlier this year in May, another remarkable event unfolded when a grizzly bear swam from Powell River to Texada Island. The animal remained on the island for over a month before being killed by a local resident, demonstrating the increasing boldness and mobility of these predators.
The pattern continued in July when a couple riding e-bikes near Creston encountered two grizzlies unexpectedly. The situation turned dangerous when one bear knocked the man from his bicycle and mauled him, though his wife successfully deployed bear spray to drive the animals away.
Why Are Grizzly Encounters Increasing?
Kim Titchener, founder of Bear Safety & More, confirms that British Columbia and Alberta have experienced an unusually high number of grizzly attacks this year. The wildlife safety expert based in Alberta identifies several contributing factors to this troubling trend.
Growing human populations and habitat loss represent primary drivers behind the increased contact between bears and people. "There's more human beings on the landscape. Our population is increasing exponentially," Titchener explained, highlighting how human expansion into traditional bear territories creates inevitable conflicts.
Climate change also plays a significant role as a "huge stressor" on bear behavior. Warmer winters affect denning periods, with bears delaying hibernation when food sources remain available. Titchener notes that larger male bears particularly tend to postpone entering their dens until they've accumulated sufficient fat reserves.
Understanding Grizzly Behavior and Population
Attacks on large groups remain exceptionally uncommon in grizzly bear behavior. These predators typically target individuals or pairs rather than confronting larger parties. In the rare instances where grizzlies do attack bigger groups, Titchener explains that the scenario usually involves one or two people straying from the main group, startling a bear that then chases them back toward the others.
British Columbia hosts a significant portion of Canada's grizzly population. According to the B.C. Wildlife Federation, the province is home to approximately 15,000 of Canada's 26,000 grizzly bears. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society of B.C. identifies 55 distinct grizzly populations within the province, with concerning statistics showing that 60 percent of these groups face threatened status.
As human-bear interactions continue to rise, wildlife experts emphasize the importance of bear awareness, proper food storage, and carrying bear spray when venturing into known grizzly territory. The unusual pattern of encounters this year underscores the need for continued conservation efforts and public education about coexisting with British Columbia's iconic predators.
