Overview
- Four people were hospitalized after the Nov. 20 attack, including three children and one adult, with two children in critical condition.
- The victims were part of an Indigenous-run K–12 school group of about 20 students who had paused for lunch on a trail when the bear emerged.
- Teachers used bear spray and other measures to drive the animal off, and officials say the grizzly may have been injured during the confrontation.
- Conservation officers have urged residents to avoid the area as searches continue and the bear has not been located.
- Officials describe such group attacks as very rare and are investigating possible causes, including whether the bear was previously hurt, as other regions report increased human–bear encounters.