British Columbia euthanizes four grizzly bears after mother-daughter attack

Four grizzly bears were killed in British Columbia after a fatal attack on a mother, Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her 20‑year‑old daughter, Selah Reed, during an afternoon walk on a Bella Coola trail earlier this month. The bears were destroyed under provincial human‑wildlife conflict guidelines, B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a Tuesday update.

The attack shocked a tight‑knit community that described the pair as “two peas in a pod.” The women were hiking together, sharing hobbies and a close bond, according to Balcarras’ brother Josh. BCCOS launched an intensive investigation, deploying more than a dozen conservation officers through difficult terrain and weather. Forensic analysis of the scene and DNA testing linked the incident to a sow and her three cubs, a pattern BCCOS says indicates “predatory behaviour” – an extremely rare occurrence for grizzlies.

DNA results also cleared the four bears of involvement in a 2025 incident that injured 11 people, two critically, near the same area. That earlier attack, which left a community still reeling, never resulted in the capture of the responsible animal. The current response follows provincial guidelines that allow euthanasia when a bear is deemed a direct threat to public safety. Tyre emphasized that the decision was based on conclusive evidence, and that the bears posed an ongoing risk in the remote Bella Coola region.

Nuxalk Nation Chief Samuel Schooner thanked the BCCOS for its “dedication and hard work” in resolving the case, noting that the recent tragedy has been “deeply re‑triggering” for a community still healing from last year’s attack. The bear killings aim to prevent further loss of life and restore confidence for hikers and residents alike. Officials say the incident underscores the need for continued monitoring of bear activity and swift, science‑based responses when human safety is at stake.