This photo from Aug. 12, 2009 shows a grizzly bear moving across the Porcupine River tundra in Yukon, Canada. The Canadian Press
Several students suffered injuries after a grizzly bear attacked them in Bella Coola on Thursday afternoon. Police confirmed the incident and said the students’ conditions appear serious. Officers have not released the ages or genders of those involved.
Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said emergency crews raced to the scene soon after the attack. She noted that the full extent of the injuries remains unclear, but responders continue to treat the situation as severe.
Nuxalk Nation Urges Residents to Stay Inside
The Nuxalk Nation issued an alert on its social media channels soon after the incident. The message said first responders and healers had reached the students and were working with police. The nation warned the community to remain indoors because the bear had not been located.
Leaders urged residents not to walk in the area and advised people to use arranged rides if they needed to travel. Both the conservation service and the nation told people to avoid forested and river areas in the 4 Mile region of the Bella Coola River Valley.
A Province on Edge After Recent Bear Encounters
British Columbia has seen several grizzly attacks over the past two months, raising concerns among hikers, hunters and rural communities. On Sept. 29, a grizzly attacked a hunter near Fort St. James after he approached a mother bear and her cub. Officials said the bear acted defensively.
Another serious attack happened on Oct. 2 near Fort Steele. A hunter named Joe Pendry fought off a mother bear with two cubs. He survived the initial encounter but later died from his injuries after several surgeries.
On Oct. 12, two hikers suffered serious injuries on McGregor Mountain northeast of Prince George. Conservation officers said the encounter involved a mother bear defending her young.
These back-to-back incidents have renewed warnings from wildlife officials across the province.
Safety Remains a Top Priority
The conservation service continues to remind people in rural areas to take extra care. Officers advise hikers and backcountry travellers to move in groups, carry bear spray, store food properly and make noise to alert animals. They stress that most encounters occur when people surprise a bear.
The service also shared important steps to follow if you come across a grizzly. People should stay calm, speak softly and back away slowly. Running can trigger a chase response. If a bear charges, officers recommend using bear spray.
Community Waits for Updates
Residents in Bella Coola remain on alert as crews search for the bear. People continue to follow instructions from the Nuxalk Nation and the conservation service. Parents and families in the region are waiting for more details on the students’ conditions.
Officials say updates will follow once responders gather more information about the attack.
