B.C. conservation officers capture four more grizzly bears in Bella Coola

B.C. conservation officers say they have captured four more grizzly bears in Bella Coola.

The bears will be tested to determine whether they were involved in an attack on schoolchildren two weeks ago, according to a social. media post from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service Wednesday evening.

Four other grizzly bears captured in Bella Coola last week were successfully released. Forensic evidence had confirmed they were not associated with the attack.

Officers say the bears were relocated to an undisclosed location within their home range, far from the community, in co-ordination with wildlife biologists and the provincial wildlife veterinarian.

Post-release monitoring via GPS collar indicates the bears are healthy and preparing to den for the winter, officers said.

Conservation officers remain in Bella Coola as the investigation into the attack continues.

Residents are again asked to avoid the 4 Mile area, stay indoors, and not search for any bears themselves.

Four people — three children and an adult — from Acwsalcta School were seriously injured and airlifted to Vancouver for treatment. There has been no update on their condition.

The Ministry of Environment said there have been 24 calls about human-wildlife conflict involving grizzly bears in the Bella Coola area this year, 18 of which were in the past three months.

ticrawford@postmedia.com

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