Conservation officers in British Columbia are maintaining an intensive search for three grizzly bears connected to a terrifying attack on a school group in Bella Coola last week. The incident left four people with serious injuries, prompting a large-scale response from wildlife authorities.
Ongoing Search Operation
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service confirmed crews have been working around the clock, including overnight rotations, to locate a female grizzly bear and her two cubs. The search is concentrated in the 4 Mile subdivision area of the small Central Coast community.
Authorities have deployed multiple resources in their efforts to find the bears. Traps and remote cameras have been strategically placed throughout the area, and a helicopter equipped with advanced thermal imaging technology was utilized to scan the terrain from above. Despite these comprehensive measures, the bears remain at large as of the latest updates.
Community Collaboration and Public Safety Warning
Inspector Kevin Van Damme of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service emphasized the collaborative nature of the response. "We continue to work collaboratively with the Nuxalk Nation to share updates and provide support as needed," Van Damme stated in a Sunday update.
The service has issued a firm warning to the public against participating in search efforts. Due to the significant public safety risk posed by the bears, officials are urging people to leave the search to trained professionals. The bears are considered dangerous following the serious attack.
Attack Details and Aftermath
The search continues three days after the traumatic incident that occurred during a field trip. A group of approximately 20 elementary students and their teachers were having lunch near a First Nation school when the grizzly bear attacked unexpectedly.
The attack resulted in serious injuries to four individuals: three children and one adult. All four victims required immediate medical evacuation and were airlifted to Vancouver for specialized hospital treatment.
In response to the tragedy, community support has been substantial. An online fundraiser established to support the victims and their families has raised more than $64,000, demonstrating the widespread concern and solidarity following the traumatic event.
When asked about the fate of the bears if captured, conservation officials have not confirmed whether the animals would be euthanized. The service stated that any captured bears would be assessed by wildlife biologists and the provincial wildlife veterinarian before a decision is made regarding their disposition.
