Four grizzly bears killed after fatal attack on mother and daughter in Canada

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 21:20 · Archive

DNA tests linked a female grizzly and three yearling cubs to the deaths of a mother and daughter near Bella Coola in British Columbia.

Four grizzly bears captured in western Canada were responsible for killing Jenny Balcarras, 48, and her adult daughter Selah Reed, 20, earlier this month in what investigators believe was a rare predatory attack, British Columbia wildlife officials said on Tuesday.

DNA tests conclusively linked a female grizzly and her three yearling cubs to the deaths. All four bears were killed to protect the public in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines.

"Our investigation also found that this attack likely involved predatory behaviour, which I can tell you is very rare," Inspector Jeff Tyre told an online briefing. "That is to say, we don't know how it started, but we know how it ended."

The women's remains were found about 150 metres apart near a trail outside Bella Coola, a remote community about 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver. Family members raised the alarm after Reed missed a routine Saturday night call with her sister. Searchers found Balcarras's remains first, then discovered Reed's remains in a bear cache, where bears store food.

More than a dozen conservation officers participated in the investigation over the past week, working in difficult terrain and weather conditions to recover the victims, collect evidence and locate the bears.

Tyre said the bears were not involved in a separate grizzly attack last November on a group of about twenty elementary school students and teachers in the same area. Eleven people were injured in that attack, including two critically. The bear responsible in that incident was never found.

The latest killings have shaken the Nuxalk Nation community. Local authorities imposed a voluntary curfew and police escorted children to school. "This attack has been deeply re-triggering for our community members as we continue to recover from last year's attack," said Tlhmtimut Samuel Schooner, the Nuxalk Nation's elected chief councillor. He said community support services would remain available as long as needed.

According to the BBC, an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 grizzly bears live in British Columbia. Tyre noted that bears involved in fatal attacks cannot be rehabilitated or relocated because they pose an extreme risk to public safety.

How it is being reported

• Mom and daughter were slaughtered by grizzly mama bear and her three cubs while on Canadian trail, DNA confirmsThe mother and daughter had been found near a trailer about 620 miles north of Vancouver last week after being reported missing by concerned family.Daily Mail · 12 Nov, 00:34
• DNA links 4 grizzly bears to deadly attack on mother and daughter in Canada, officials sayDNA evidence linked four grizzly bears to the deaths of Jennifer Balcarras and Selah Reed near Bella Coola, British Columbia, officials said.Fox News · 11 Nov, 20:59
• Four grizzly bears killed in Canada after fatal attack on mum and daughterThe sow and her three cubs were responsible for killing Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, earlier this month.BBC Science · 11 Nov, 13:17
• 4 grizzly bears killed mom and daughter in Canada, DNA confirmsDNA tests linked four bears to the deaths of Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed, officials said. All four bears were killed to protect the public.CBS News · 11 Nov, 11:24
• 4 grizzly bears linked by DNA to deadly attack on mother and daughter in CanadaDNA linked a female grizzly and three cubs to the fatal attack on Jenny Balcarras and her daughter in BC All four bears have been killed.New York Post · 11 Nov, 09:12
• DNA confirms pack of four grizzly bears killed mother and daughter in rare predatory attack in CanadaCanadian wildlife officials say four grizzly bears captured in western Canada were responsible for killing a mother and her adult daughter earlier this month in what investigators believe was a rare predatory attackIndependent World · 11 Nov, 07:54
• Four grizzly bears killed mother and daughter in CanadaFour grizzly bears captured in Canada were responsible for killing a mother and daughter earlier this month, officials have said.Sky News · 11 Nov, 01:57

In this story: Jenny Balcarras · Selah Reed · British Columbia · Bella Coola · Nuxalk Nation · British Columbia Conservation Officer Service

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log