Mother and Daughter Killed in Suspected Grizzly Attack Near Their Home
A mother and her 20-year-old daughter have died in a suspected grizzly bear attack on a trail near their home in British Columbia, Canada, and wildlife officials say more than one bear may have been involved.
The victims were identified by family members as Jenny Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
What Happened
Balcarras and Reed went out on the Snooka West Trail in Bella Coola, a community on British Columbia’s central coast, on Saturday. The trail is about a five-minute drive from their home. Family members reported them missing on Sunday.
Search and rescue teams found Balcarras on Monday, and Reed was found on Tuesday, according to the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service.
“There was evidence to suggest a [grizzly] bear may have been involved,” Conservation Officer Service Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a video statement on Facebook.
Officials Search for the Bear or Bears
Tyre said it’s not yet clear whether more than one bear was involved, and conservation officers are working to capture the animal or animals responsible. Any bears captured in the area will be assessed, and if a bear is found to have been involved in the attack, it will be killed to protect public safety.
Authorities have also imposed a curfew on the community while the search continues.
Remembering Jenny Balcarras and Selah Reed
Balcarras was an art therapist who had recently moved to Bella Coola to pursue a new career and start a new chapter in her life, according to a fundraiser set up by a relative, Mary Melissa Smith.
The fundraiser described Reed as a 20-year-old with her whole life ahead of her. Balcarras leaves behind a son, two daughters and a grandson, who are now facing the loss of their mother while also handling the cost of funeral arrangements, Smith wrote.
A Second Serious Bear Incident in the Area
The deaths come nearly a year after another grizzly bear attack in the Bella Coola area. In that incident, a bear attacked a group of elementary school students and staff, injuring several people. The bear involved in that attack was never captured.
Fatal grizzly bear attacks are rare. One of the most recent similar cases in Canada happened in November 2018, when a mother and her 10-month-old daughter were killed by a grizzly bear outside their remote cabin in Yukon.
Staying Safe in Bear Country
Bella Coola sits in a region where grizzly bears are common, especially in the fall, when bears are actively feeding before winter. Wildlife officials generally recommend these precautions in bear country:
Follow local warnings: Respect any trail closures, curfews or advisories issued by wildlife officials.
Travel in groups: Bears are less likely to approach groups of people.
Make noise: Talking or calling out on the trail helps avoid surprising a bear.
Carry bear spray: Keep it within easy reach, and know how to use it.
Report sightings: In British Columbia, bear sightings and encounters can be reported to the Conservation Officer Service.
As the investigation continues, the community of Bella Coola is mourning the loss of a mother and daughter who were out for a walk close to home.
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