Overview
- Family members reported two people missing on Nov. 1 and search teams found one body on Monday in the Snooka West Trail area.
- Conservation officers say evidence at the scene suggested an animal was involved and they are treating the incident as a suspected grizzly bear attack.
- Officers are working to locate and trap bears in the area so each animal can be assessed and any confirmed as responsible may be dispatched under provincial response guidelines.
- The BC Conservation Officer Service is coordinating with the BC Coroners Service, Bella Coola RCMP, Bella Coola Valley Search and Rescue and Nuxalk Nation liaisons while searches continue for the second missing person.
- Officials have urged the public to stay away from the Snooka West Trail to protect safety and preserve the integrity of the investigation and local authorities are likely to tighten trail access and bear-management measures in the valley.