Officials are continuing their search for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The bear that was euthanized by the RCMP following the incident was determined not to be the culprit.
According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when the attack occurred. A parent intervened and scared the bear away. Despite the belief that the bear returned to the area multiple times that day, it was shot by officers due to perceived aggression and later found not to be the bear involved in the attack.
The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. A team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service specializing in predator attacks remains on-site, urging the public to steer clear of the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten pointed out that law enforcement, like the RCMP, lacks expertise in bear behavior compared to conservation officers. He emphasized that using certain bullets may only wound a bear, making it more dangerous if not killed outright.
Lesley Fox, the executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of accurate identification and evidence in such situations. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for more conservation officers to handle wildlife incidents effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent further harm. They highlighted the rarity of bear encounters for their officers and promised a review of the incident for potential improvements in training and equipment.
The Conservation Officer Service reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing predator attacks and collaborating with law enforcement agencies statewide.