The search for the bear responsible for the recent attack on a school group near Bella Coola, B.C., is ongoing. While bear encounters are not uncommon in Canada, incidents involving large groups, like the one last week, are rare, according to conservation experts.
Efforts to locate the bear include tracking its movements, setting bait in strategic locations, and using traps. Once captured, the bear is immobilized, and officers match it to witness accounts and evidence from the scene, such as tracks and hair.
Experts speculate on what may have triggered the attack, noting that larger groups tend to deter bear aggression. The incident involving at least 20 people is considered unique. Factors like a bear’s personality, territorial instincts, and recent experiences can influence its behavior.
After the bear is identified, a team of professionals, including wildlife specialists, will assess the situation to determine the appropriate course of action. The community’s input, especially from the Nuxalk Nation with its long history of coexisting with bears, will be considered.
Decisions on whether to relocate or euthanize the bear depend on various factors, such as the presence of cubs and the circumstances of the attack. Relocation aims to temporarily remove the bear to address attractants in the area, while translocation involves moving the bear a considerable distance to prevent its return.
Calls to reinstate B.C.’s grizzly bear trophy hunt have emerged following the attack, but opinions differ on the effectiveness of such measures. Experts emphasize the need to address root causes of human-bear conflicts, such as better waste management practices.
The government is currently focused on locating the bear responsible for the attack, with no immediate plans to revisit the trophy hunt. The priority remains on ensuring the safety of the community and managing human-bear interactions effectively.
