Conservation officers in British Columbia have halted their search for the grizzly bear linked to a severe attack on a group of schoolchildren and teachers last month. The incident, which occurred during a field trip on November 20, resulted in four individuals suffering serious injuries.

On Friday, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service announced that DNA and forensic evidence had cleared four bears captured earlier in the week from involvement in the attack. Additionally, there have been no reported bear sightings in the vicinity of Bella Coola, where the attack took place, for the past five days.

"Based on this factor and due to the time of year, when bears begin denning, officers are no longer actively trying to capture bears, and equipment has been removed," the statement read.

The conservation service plans to collaborate with the Nuxalk Nation to develop strategies for safely coexisting with bears. A full-time conservation officer has been assigned to Bella Coola, located about 700 kilometers northwest of Vancouver.

During the attack, three elementary students and a staff member were injured while their group of 20 was having lunch. Seven others received treatment at the scene. Over the course of two weeks, 24 conservation officers participated in the search for the bear, including those who traveled overnight to deliver animal samples for testing at a forensics lab in Alberta.

Insp. Kevin Van Damme of the conservation service described the response as "extraordinary" given the nature of the attack. He noted, "Our investigation determined the behavior and actions of this bear were aggressive and unlike any other documented grizzly bear attack we have seen in B.C., or Canada."

A total of at least eight bears were captured following the incident. The most recent captures included an adult female and three cubs, all of which will be relocated far from Bella Coola.

Chief Samuel Schooner characterized the attack as a moment of "life and death" and commended the teachers who intervened to protect the students. Veronica Schooner, whose son was among those attacked, recounted that he was so close to the bear that he could feel its fur. "He was running for his life," she said, adding that a male teacher bore the brunt of the attack.

In response to the incident, over $100,000 has been raised to assist the injured families with medical expenses. Conservation officers initially believed they were searching for a mother bear and her cubs, employing drones equipped with thermal cameras in their efforts.

An information session regarding the incident drew more than 100 attendees on Thursday. Van Damme expressed gratitude for the community's engagement, stating, "We welcomed the opportunity to further connect with residents, outline the steps we have taken, and try to answer any questions." He affirmed the commitment to the community and the ongoing support for the Nuxalk Nation, pledging to monitor and address any concerning bear activity in the future.