The key facts
- Jennifer Balkarras (48) and Sela Reid (20) went missing on 1 November after a daytime walk; their bodies were found on 2 and 3 November near the Snooka West trail close to Bella Coola
- The BCCOS allows for the involvement of several bears; any animal caught and found responsible for the attack will be euthanized
- Traps have been set up in the area, and residents have been advised not to go out after 8 p.m.
The missing women were found within two days
In the Canadian province of British Columbia, a mother and daughter have died — according to preliminary reports, as a result of a grizzly bear attack. 48-year-old Jennifer Balkarras and her 20-year-old daughter Sela Reid went on a short daytime walk near the settlement of Bella Coola, roughly a thousand kilometres north of Vancouver, and did not return home. Relatives reported them missing on 1 November, BBC News reports citing the family and the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).
The search and investigation
Balkarras's body was found on Monday near the Snooka West trail, and the daughter's body on Tuesday, during a joint search by the conservation service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local search and rescue teams. According to the BCCOS, evidence at the scene 'pointed to the possible involvement of an animal'. Service inspector Jeff Tyre noted that it is not yet clear whether one bear or several were involved. Any animal that is caught will be examined, and if its involvement is established, it will be euthanized 'in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response rules' for the safety of the population.
Safety measures and context
Traps have been set up and patrols organized in the area of the tragedy; local residents have been advised to stay indoors after 8 p.m. and to temporarily avoid walking on forest trails (as reported by Life.ru citing the conservation service). Grizzlies in the province have the status of a 'vulnerable' species and are protected by federal legislation; according to the Ministry of Environment's estimate, between 10,000 and 13,000 of these bears live in British Columbia, and conflicts with humans are 'relatively rare' — provided the animals are not disturbed and are not defending cubs or food. Nevertheless, a number of attacks have occurred in the province in recent years: in October 2025 a grizzly injured two tourists near Mount McGregor, one of whom later died, and in November 2025 a bear attacked a school group in the same Bella Coola area, leaving 11 people injured. The British Columbia Wildlife Federation previously stated that reports of conflicts have increased since the ban on grizzly sport hunting introduced in 2017.
About the victims
According to the victim's brother Josh Balkarras, the mother and daughter were very close and shared many interests: 'When Jenny went hiking, Sela was right there with her.' Balkarras had recently moved to Bella Coola to start a new chapter in her life; she worked as a school counsellor and art therapist, and is survived by three adult children and a grandchild. Relatives have organized an online fundraiser to help the family with funeral expenses.
Image source, Getty Images Between 10,000 and 13,000 grizzly bears are estimated to live in British Columbia (file image)
