‘Aggressive Bear’ on the Loose After Schoolchildren Injured in Animal Attack in Canada

An “aggressive bear” is on the loose after multiple people, including schoolchildren, were attacked on a walking trail in British Columbia, Canada, on Thursday, November 20.

According to a post on the Conservation Officer Service Facebook page, a “reported grizzly bear attack” happened in Bella Coola, and initial information suggested multiple people were injured.

The Associated Press reported 11 people were attacked, with two people in critical condition and two sustaining serious injuries. Some were flown by helicopter from the scene, while others were treated there.

Acwsalcta School, located in Bella Coola, confirmed the incident on Facebook and said that the school would be closed on Friday, November 21, “due to the bear incident.”

“It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students,” the school wrote.

Following the tragedy, Nuxalk Nation Chief and Council told their Facebook following at 4 p.m. local time that an “aggressive bear” was still on the loose. “Do not go looking for it,” they wrote in all caps.

They also urged locals to stay indoors and avoid walking around the area.

A parent named Veronica Schooner said that a male teacher “got the whole brunt of” the attack and that her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was so close to the animal, “he even felt its fur,” according to the AP.

“He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else,” Schooner said.

While it is unclear how many children were attacked and what their ages are, the AP reported that they are in fourth and fifth grade.

“He keeps crying for his friends,” said Schooner. “And oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends.”

In a follow-up post from Acwsalcta School, the school said the Youth Centre will be open on Friday starting at 8:30 a.m. for individual counseling.