Suggested curfew, night patrols in place following suspected fatal grizzly attack near Bella Coola, B.C.
Nuxalk Nation is recommending residents stay indoors by 8 p.m. following a suspected grizzly bear attack that killed a mother and daughter near Bella Coola.
Nuxalk Nation offering free fruit tree gleaning, shuttle bus as trapping efforts continue
Catherine Garrett · CBC News
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The Nuxalk Nation near Bella Coola, B.C., has established a recommended curfew for residents following a deadly suspected grizzly bear attack in the area.
Family members have identified the two victims of the suspected attack as Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed.
In an update on social media, the nation suggests all community members should be indoors by 8 p.m. PT.
The curfew will not be enforced, it added, but it is a "strong recommendation" to ensure safety.
"Our hearts are broken for the families affected by the suspected bear attack. We are hurting with you," said Elected Chief Samuel Schooner in the letter.
Nuxalk leadership and Guardian Watchmen are working closely with hereditary leadership, School District 49, as well as police and conservation officers, he added.
Balcarras's remains were discovered Monday in the Snooka West Trail area, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) said. Reed's remains were located Tuesday afternoon.
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Jennifer Balcarras and her daughter Selah Reed in this undated photo provided by their family. Their remains were discovered after a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola. (Submitted by Matthew Balcarras)
Multiple bears could be responsible: conservation officers
The BCCOS says trapping efforts are underway, but no bears have been captured.
It is not yet known if more than one bear is responsible for the deaths of Belcarras and Reed, it added.
RCMP and conservation officers will conduct night patrols as the suspected attack is investigated.
"Any captured bears will be assessed, and if it is determined to have been involved in the attack, it will be dispatched in accordance with provincial human wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety," said Insp. Jeff Tyre in a video posted to Facebook.
"We continue to urge people to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area for their own safety and to give officers the space and time needed to do this work."
Night patrols, fruit tree pruning part of risk mitigation
The nation said it is operating a daily transportation shuttle service, and offering to remove fruit from trees free of cost.
It's warning community members to manage bear attractants, and dispose of organic materials related to hunting and fishing appropriately.
"We heard [Tuesday] from many community members about the mental and spiritual care that must be provided for our community," said Schooner in the letter.
"We have experienced many difficult days over the past year, and we continue to persevere with strength, love and compassion."
Fatal grizzly attacks rare
Last year, a group of children and teachers were attacked by a grizzly near Bella Coola, leaving several critically injured on a trail south of Highway 20.
The bear involved in that attack was never found.
At the time, Insp. Kevin Van Damme of the BCCOS said this type of attack is "extremely rare."
According to statistics from B.C.'s Ministry of Environment, there have been two fatal grizzly attacks in the province from 2012 to 2025 — one in 2017 and the other in 2025.
Sixty-four grizzly attacks were recorded from 2012 to 2025.
The total number of grizzlies killed in B.C. by conservation officers or other groups due to human-wildlife conflict in the same time period is 479, according to the Ministry of Environment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Garrett is a CBC News reporter based in Terrace, B.C., covering the province's northwest region. Born in Ontario and raised on Haida Gwaii, she has previously worked in Vancouver, Prince George, B.C., and Grande Prairie, Alta. She has received multiple awards for her work, including a Canadian Online Publishing Award. You can contact her at catherine.garrett@cbc.ca.
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