BELLA COOLA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Eleven people, including several schoolchildren, were injured after a grizzly bear attacked a school group during a field trip in a remote region of western Canada on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The incident, which occurred near the Nuxalk Nation community of Bella Coola, has left four individuals hospitalized—two in critical condition and two with serious injuries. The attack has prompted a large-scale search for the bear and highlighted the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict in the region.

The group of approximately 20 students from the Acwsalcta School, run by the Nuxalk First Nation, were on a walking trail having lunch when the bear emerged from the forest and attacked. The students were in Grades 4 and 5. Multiple teachers intervened, deploying bear spray and a bear banger—a noise-making deterrent—to drive the animal away. British Columbia's Environment Minister, Tamara Davidson, praised the teachers' actions, stating they "took great risk to protect their students" and were "the true heroes in this situation."

BC Emergency Health Services responded to a call at approximately 1:46 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (Friday, 12:46 a.m. EAT) and transported four of the most seriously injured—three children and one adult—to hospital. Seven other individuals were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Due to the remote location, about 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, the injured were flown to larger medical facilities for advanced care.

Search for Aggressive Bear Underway

The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) immediately launched a search for the grizzly bear, which continued overnight and into Friday. As of Friday evening EAT, the bear had not been located. Inspector Kevin Van Damme of the BCCOS described the situation as "extremely rare" and dangerous, urging the community to remain indoors while armed officers patrol the area. A preliminary investigation suggests the bear may have been previously injured, which could have contributed to its aggressive behavior.

Nuxalk Nation Chief Samuel Schooner described the unprovoked attack as an "unprecedented" and traumatic event for the community. In a statement, he expressed pride in the heroic response of the teachers and students, noting, "The outcome could have been much worse." The Nuxalk Nation has provided counseling, food, and other support services for those affected.

Global Context: Human-Wildlife Conflict

While this incident has no direct ties to Kenya, it underscores a global challenge of increasing human-wildlife conflict as human populations expand into traditional animal habitats. The Bella Coola Valley, part of the Great Bear Rainforest, is known for its dense grizzly bear population. Grizzlies hold deep cultural significance for the Nuxalk Nation, who have coexisted with them for generations.

However, conflicts have been rising in British Columbia. According to the B.C. Wildlife Federation, calls to conservation officers regarding grizzly bears have nearly doubled to almost 1,000 per year since a trophy hunting ban was enacted in 2017. Jesse Zeman, the federation's executive director, stated that without hunting pressure, "grizzlies and humans will increasingly occupy the same spaces with inevitable consequences." This debate mirrors conversations in East Africa regarding the management of large predator populations, such as lions and elephants, in areas where they interact with human communities.

Recent studies in British Columbia have focused on understanding and mitigating these conflicts through measures like bear awareness training, deterrents like electric fencing, and wildlife crossings to reduce vehicle collisions. The Nuxalk Nation itself has a "bear safe" program focused on non-lethal conflict mitigation. Inspector Van Damme, a 25-year veteran of the conservation service, noted he had never seen a grizzly attack a large group in this manner, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event. Authorities continue their investigation to understand the specific circumstances that led to the attack as the community remains on high alert.