A black bear attack at Stoney Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island led to the closure of the park on Friday. The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. PT when a hiker with off-leash dogs encountered a female black bear and her cub.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) stated on social media that the bear attacked the dogs, prompting the woman to intervene, resulting in undisclosed injuries. Following the incident, conservation officers and the RCMP searched the area but did not locate the bear. As a precautionary measure for public safety, the park was closed in collaboration with the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Authorities classified the bear attack as defensive and decided against actively looking for or capturing the bear. Warning signs have been placed in the vicinity, and the hiker’s dogs survived the encounter. The public is advised to take preventive measures such as traveling in groups, keeping pets on leashes, and carrying bear spray to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, as reiterated in the official statement.