Another four bears have been ruled out as the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) wraps up the search for the grizzlies that were involved in a harrowing attack in Bella Coola that left four people with serious injuries last month.
The COS said it is no longer actively trying to capture bears, while calling the attack unlike anything ever before seen in Canada.
The latest four bears were captured on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The COS received results Friday from a forensics lab that analyzed evidence from the Nov. 20 attack, including animal DNA, the COS said in a social media update Dec. 5.
“None of the latest bears captured by conservation officers — an adult female and three young of the year — were linked to the attack,” the COS said.
The captured bears will be relocated within their home range, far from the Bella Coola community, in coordination with wildlife biologists and the provincial wildlife veterinarian.
This brings the total of captured bears that have been deemed uninvolved since the attack up to eight.
The COS said there have been no bear sightings in the area of the attack for the past five days, aside from the four bears that were captured Dec. 3.
“Based on this factor and due to the time of year, when bears begin denning, officers are no longer actively trying to capture bears, and equipment has been removed,” the COS said.
The victims in the attack were among a group of students and teachers who had stopped along a trail near a river in the 4 Mile area when the attack took place. In all, 11 people were injured, and the attack left one adult and three children hospitalized with serious injuries.
‘Extraordinary response to an extraordinary attack’
As the search for bears involved in the attack concludes, the COS reflected on its operations over a two-week period.
The COS said over those two weeks, 24 conservation officers were involved in the response in Bella Coola, completing a detailed investigation and “working tirelessly in rotating teams to attempt to capture the offending bear.” Officers drove overnight to hand-deliver animal samples for testing in a forensics lab at the University of Alberta, about 14 hours away.
“This was an extraordinary response to an extraordinary attack — our investigation determined the behaviour and actions of this bear were aggressive and unlike any other documented grizzly bear attack we have seen in B.C., or Canada,” said Insp. Kevin Van Damme.
“We truly appreciate and value the support we received from our partners, including the Nuxalk Nation and their Guardians, RCMP, forensics lab staff and ministry partners, who worked alongside us throughout this incident.”
Conservation officers led an information session on the incident Thursday night in Bella Coola. More than 100 people attended.
“We welcomed the opportunity to further connect with residents, outline the steps we have taken, and try to answer any questions,” said Van Damme. “We remain committed to the community, continue to support the Nuxalk Nation, and will closely monitor and respond to any concerning bear activity going forward.”
The COS said it will continue to work with the Nuxalk Nation to find solutions for safely co-existing with bears. A conservation officer has been posted full-time in Bella Coola, and more officers are available to assist if and when needed.
The four other bears captured last week and ruled out by forensic testing have been successfully relocated. Post-release monitoring via GPS collar indicates they are moving towards den sites, the COS said.