Canada kills four grizzly bears linked to mother, daughter deaths

Four grizzly bears have been killed in British Columbia, Canada, following DNA tests that confirmed they were responsible for an attack that killed a mother and her daughter. Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, died after going for an afternoon walk in Bella Coola. The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) investigated the case after the women were reported missing on November 1.

Their remains were found during search operations, with Balcarras' remains discovered on Monday and Selah's on Tuesday. Forensic testing confirmed that a female grizzly sow and her three cubs were responsible for the attack. BCCOS Inspector Jeff Tyre stated that the bears had been destroyed to protect public safety, noting that such incidents are very rare.

The family described the mother and daughter as extremely close, with the daughter often accompanying her mother on hikes. The bear responsible for a separate attack on a school group in November 2025 was never found. The Nuxalk Nation's Chief expressed that the latest attack had reopened painful memories for community members still recovering from last year's incident.

Grizzly bears are listed as a species of special concern under Canadian federal legislation, with an estimated population of 10,000 to 13,000 in British Columbia.