BCCOS relocates caught grizzly bear after Bella Coola attack

Officers from the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) captured a grizzly bear near Bella Coola after an attack on Thursday that injured three students and a teacher. The BCCOS confirmed that evidence does not conclusively link the captured bear to the incident. Authorities will relocate the bear after fitting it with a GPS sensor to monitor its movements. Residents have expressed increasing fears about aggressive bear behavior, with reported incidents of bears breaking into homes. Corey Van Andel, a local resident, remarked on the growing comfort bears display around human residences, which has not been observed in previous years.

The BCCOS continues efforts to locate and capture three other grizzly bears believed to be responsible for the attack. The increase in bear encounters has raised significant safety concerns in the community, prompting calls for further action. Anyone with bear sightings in the area is encouraged to contact the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line for assistance.