British Columbia Officials Kill Four Grizzly Bears After Fatal Hiking Attack

British Columbia conservation officers have killed a female grizzly bear and her three cubs after forensic testing linked the animals to a fatal attack on a mother and daughter near Bella Coola.

Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed, were reported missing after failing to return from a hike on the Snooka West Trail on October 31.

Authorities discovered the remains of Balcarras on November 2, while Reed was found 150 meters away the following day.

The incident has caused significant distress in the region, as the Nuxalk Nation community continues to recover from a separate grizzly bear encounter involving students and teachers that occurred last year.

"Our investigation also found that this attack likely involved predatory behavior, which I can tell you is very rare," said Jeff Tyre, an inspector with the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service.

Tyre stated that the bears were euthanized to protect the public, noting that animals involved in fatal attacks cannot be relocated or rehabilitated due to the extreme risk they pose.

More than a dozen conservation officers tracked the bears through difficult terrain and weather conditions before concluding their investigation this week, according to the service.

DNA evidence confirmed these four bears were not involved in a 2025 attack in the same area that left several people injured, an incident for which the responsible bear was never located.

"This attack has been deeply re-triggering for our community members as we continue to recover from last year's attack," said Samuel Schooner, the elected chief of the Nuxalk Nation.

Schooner said the nation is providing ongoing support to residents, including night patrols and school escorts, while urging community members to avoid the Snooka West Trail area.

Family members described Balcarras and Reed as inseparable, noting that the two women frequently enjoyed outdoor activities together.

"They were two peas in a pod," said Josh Balcarras, the brother of Jennifer Balcarras.

The Nuxalk Nation leadership is currently discussing how to handle the remains of the bears and plans to hold further talks regarding long-term bear coexistence strategies in the coming months.