A school in Bella Coola, British Columbia, has reopened its doors under enhanced safety protocols just five days following a harrowing grizzly bear incident involving students and teachers. The pursuit for the mother grizzly bear accompanied by two cubs, suspected to be behind the attack, is ongoing. Acwsalcta School has implemented additional safety measures to safeguard all students as they return to classes.
Students attending this Nuxalk First Nation-operated independent school are currently restricted from leaving the school premises. Following the attack that left three students and a staff member severely injured, the school is offering door-to-door bus services for student transportation. Principal Brittany Hughes expressed understanding in a letter to families shared on social media, acknowledging that some may not feel ready for their children to resume classes at this time.
The school has advised students against walking from the 4 Mile area, where the bear attack occurred. Instead, students are encouraged to engage in supervised activities within the school’s fenced areas. Additionally, secondary students are not permitted to walk to the store during lunch hours.
Authorities in Bella Coola, situated approximately 420 kilometers northwest of Vancouver, captured two bears on Monday. The British Columbia Environment Ministry is considering conducting DNA tests on one of the captured bears to ascertain its involvement in the attack. The other bear, lacking conclusive evidence linking it to the incident, is being relocated by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
The recent bear attack has sparked discussions about reintroducing grizzly hunting in British Columbia. Environment Minister Tamara Davidson clarified that the hunt was not historically utilized as a population control method. The current focus remains on ensuring community safety and coexisting with wildlife in shared outdoor spaces.
The B.C. General Employees’ Union commended the efforts of conservation officers in maintaining community safety in the wake of this incident. Sebastian Kallos, Vice President of Component 20 at BCGEU, expressed deep concern over the attack and extended sympathies to the victims and their families. Conservation officers are diligently working to locate and safely capture the bears involved, while also gathering forensic evidence to gain insights into the events surrounding the attack.