Summary
A mother and daughter died after a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola in British Columbia, Canada. Conservation officers are investigating and searching for bears that may have been involved; they said any captured bear would be assessed to determine whether it was connected to the deaths.Key Facts
- The women were identified as Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20.
- Their family reported them missing on 1 November after they did not return from a short afternoon walk.
- Searchers found Balcarras’ remains on Monday and Reed’s on Tuesday in a trail area near Bella Coola.
- The BC Conservation Officer Service said evidence at the scene suggested an animal may have been involved.
- An officer said it was not yet known whether one or more bears were involved.
- British Columbia estimates that 10,000 to 13,000 grizzly bears live in the province.
- Grizzly bears are classified as vulnerable by the provincial environment ministry and as a species of special concern under federal law.
