Authorities are still in search of 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 determined not to be the culprit. The incident occurred while the young girl was playing on her family’s deck, with one of her parents intervening to scare off the bear.
Following the attack, the bear returned to the area multiple times, prompting police to shoot it as a precaution due to its aggressive behavior. The bear fled into a wooded area after being shot. Despite conducting a necropsy on the bear, it was confirmed that it was not the same bear involved in the attack.
The girl sustained non-life-altering injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains on-site, urging the public to avoid the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten remarked that it was not surprising that the wrong bear was killed, emphasizing that police officers lack the specialized training in bear behavior that conservation officers possess. He highlighted the potential risks of injuring a bear rather than killing it, as an injured bear could become more dangerous.
Lesley Fox, the executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of making informed decisions based on proper evidence and scientific methods in such situations. Both Fox and Macquisten called for more conservation officers to handle wildlife calls effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to dispatch the bear, stating it was done to prevent further harm. They acknowledged the significance of wildlife loss and assured that such decisions are made carefully. The department mentioned ongoing reviews to enhance officer training and equipment for dealing with similar incidents in the future.
The Conservation Officer Service reiterated that predator attacks are a top priority and highlighted their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies across the province.