Officials in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, are still on the hunt for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl, as the bear previously killed by the RCMP was not the culprit. The incident occurred while the young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck, prompting one of her parents to intervene and scare off the animal.
Following the attack, the bear returned multiple times to the area, leading officers to shoot it for public safety reasons after it displayed signs of aggression. Despite fleeing into the woods after being shot, the bear was found and subjected to a necropsy, revealing it was not the bear involved in the attack.
The injured girl was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by the RCMP. A team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service specializing in predator attacks remains at the scene, urging the public to steer clear of the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten remarked that the mistaken killing of the bear was not surprising, emphasizing that police officers lack the expertise in bear behavior possessed by conservation officers. Macquisten explained that the type of bullets used by police officers typically do not result in immediate bear fatality, potentially escalating the danger posed by an injured bear.
Executive director of wildlife conservation group The Fur-Bearers, Lesley Fox, stressed the importance of proper identification in such incidents, advocating for evidence-based decision-making and a scientific approach. Both Fox and Macquisten highlighted the need for additional conservation officers to handle wildlife encounters effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, stating it was done to prevent further harm or loss of life. The department acknowledged the significance of wildlife preservation and assured a thorough review of the incident to explore better training and equipment options for officers.
The Conservation Officer Service underscored the priority given to predator attacks and emphasized their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies statewide.