Home · World · Nov 4 archive
Mother and Daughter Killed in Suspected Grizzly Bear Attack in British Columbia
Confirmed
In Short: A mother and daughter were found dead near a hiking trail in western Canada after what appeared to be a bear attack, authorities said late Tuesday.
A mother and daughter were found dead near a hiking trail in western Canada after what appeared to be a bear attack, authorities said late Tuesday. The victims were identified as Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed, who were found dead over two days.
The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service confirmed that the first victim was found on Monday, and the second was discovered on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred near Bella Coola, a community of roughly 2,100 people.
Conservation officers are investigating whether more than one bear was involved in the attack. If any bear is found to be responsible, it will be dispatched to protect public safety.
Jennifer Balcarras, an art therapist and mother of four, had recently moved to Bella Coola to pursue a new career as a counselor at a local school. She had joined the school community in August and was described as devoted to her work.
Selah Reed, who was only beginning her journey into adulthood, was described by relatives as exceptionally close to her mother. The family started a fundraiser to mourn Jennifer and remember her life.
The incident occurred near the same area where a grizzly bear injured 11 people, including fourth- and fifth-grade students, during a school field trip last year. Conservation officers noted that grizzly bears can be aggressive at this time of year as they build up their fat reserves before winter hibernation.
Conservation officers noted that there have been 'concerning pressures' on bear populations in British Columbia due to the loss of habitat and food stress caused by drought and climate change, setting off more conflicts with people.
What's confirmed
- "was only beginning her journey into adulthood."
- Captain Carter Brown, an Alaskan fishing guide, shares his experience after a grizzly bear swam directly up to his boat in Soldotna, Alaska, on ‘The Story.’ A Canadian woman and her daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack over the weekend while hiking on a trail near their home, according to authorities.
- "They were strong women living the life." The tragic encounter came less than a year after a grizzly bear injured 11 people, including fourth- and fifth-grade students, during a school field trip near Bella Coola.
- Canada News Entertainment Filipino-Canadian In Focus Headline News A mother and daughter have been found dead near Bella Coola, British Columbia, following a suspected grizzly bear attack that prompted a search operation and warnings to stay away from a nearby hiking trail.
- Family members identified the victims as Jennifer “Jenny” Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed.
- More than one grizzly may have been involved in a bear attack that relatives say left a mother and daughter dead in Bella Coola along the province’s central coast, the Conservation Officer Service in British Columbia said.
- Titchener said there have been “concerning pressures” on bear populations in British Columbia because of the loss of habitat and food stress caused by drought and climate change, setting off more conflicts with people.
What's still developing
- There are between 10,000 and 13,000 grizzly bears estimated to live in British Columbia, according to the province's Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.
- She first killed her mother and stepbrother at home before attacking a nearby school in the mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, killing five children ages 12 and 13 at the school as well as an educational assistant.