Authorities are continuing the search for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C. The bear that was killed by the RCMP was not the one involved in the incident.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service reported that the young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when the attack occurred. One of her parents intervened and scared off the bear.
Despite initial beliefs that the bear had returned to the area multiple times, it was later confirmed that it was not the same bear. The RCMP decided to shoot the bear to safeguard public safety after it displayed signs of aggression and fled into a wooded area upon being hit.
Following a necropsy conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, it was determined that the killed bear was not responsible for the attack. The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital by the RCMP.
A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains on the scene, and the public is advised to avoid the area for safety reasons.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten expressed that it was not surprising that the wrong bear was killed, emphasizing that the RCMP lacks expertise in dealing with bears compared to conservation officers. Macquisten highlighted the potential risks associated with injuring a bear rather than killing it, as an injured bear can become more dangerous.
Lesley Fox, the executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of accurate identification and proper evidence before making decisions in such situations. Both Macquisten and Fox called for more conservation officers to handle wildlife incidents effectively.
In response to the incident, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that the decision to dispatch the bear was made to prevent further harm, acknowledging the significance of losing wildlife and emphasizing that such decisions are made with caution.
Authorities are reviewing the incident to explore potential improvements in training and equipment for officers. The Conservation Officer Service emphasized that predator attacks are a top priority and highlighted their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies across the province.
