In Bella Coola, British Columbia, two grizzly bears have been captured following a recent attack on a group of students and teachers. Conservation officers are conducting DNA tests on one of the bears to determine its involvement in the incident. The second bear has been examined, but its connection to the attack remains inconclusive. As a precaution, it will be fitted with a GPS collar and relocated.
Authorities are comparing evidence from the attack scene with information obtained from the captured bears. The incident, which occurred 700 kilometers northwest of Vancouver, involved a mother grizzly and two cubs. The mother bear and her cubs are still considered dangerous, prompting officials to warn residents to avoid the area where the attack took place.
Residents of Bella Coola have reported an increase in encounters with grizzly bears. The community, known for its abundant wildlife and natural beauty, has seen a rise in bear-related incidents. One resident mentioned a surge in bear break-ins and noted the changing behavior of the bears, attributing it to external factors like logging and forest fires.
The influx of “foreign bears” into the region has disrupted the balance with local bear populations, leading to more aggressive behavior from the newcomers. Local hereditary chief Noel Pootlass described how the arrival of grizzlies has caused tensions, with bears displaying bold behavior like charging vehicles and entering residential areas.
While bear encounters in Bella Coola have been on the rise, statewide statistics show stable or slightly decreasing overall grizzly interactions. However, habitat loss due to recent fires in nearby areas has likely contributed to increased bear activity in communities like Bella Coola.
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