Classes have resumed at Acwsalcta School in Bella Coola, British Columbia, five days after a grizzly bear attacked a group of students and teachers. The school has implemented new safety measures to protect students as they return to campus.

The attack occurred last Thursday when a group of about 20 people, including students and staff, were injured. Three students and one teacher were hospitalized due to the incident. The school, which is operated by the Nuxalk First Nation, announced on Monday that it is taking "additional steps and precautions" to ensure the safety of all students.

Principal Brittany Hughes addressed families in a letter, stating, "We also wanted to note that we completely understand if students and families are not feeling ready for their children to come to school at this time."

To enhance safety, students are not allowed to leave the school grounds. The school is also providing door-to-door bus service. Students are advised against walking from the nearby 4 Mile area, where the attack took place. They will be permitted to play in designated fenced areas on school property. Additionally, secondary students are prohibited from walking to the store during lunch breaks.

In response to the attack, two bears were captured in Bella Coola on Monday. The B.C. Environment Ministry indicated that DNA tests may be conducted on one of the bears to determine its involvement in the incident. The other bear showed no conclusive evidence of being involved and will be relocated.

The attack has reignited discussions about the province's grizzly bear hunting regulations. The B.C. Wildlife Federation has called for the government to reconsider the ban on trophy hunting. However, Environment Minister Tamara Davidson stated that the hunt was never intended as a population management tool. "When the hunt was open, bears were not typically hunted in the same areas where conflicts were occurring," she explained. Davidson emphasized that the current priority is community safety, noting, "Any time there's a conflict with a bear, it's a reminder that we share the outdoors with these wild animals."

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) highlighted the critical role of conservation officers in ensuring community safety. Sebastian Kallos, vice-president of Component 20 of the BCGEU, expressed concern over the attack, stating, "We are deeply disturbed by the attack, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families." Kallos added that conservation officers are working diligently to locate and safely trap the bears involved while collecting forensic evidence to understand the circumstances of the attack.

This incident has raised awareness about the increasing encounters between bears and residents in the area, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures and community education regarding wildlife interactions.