The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on August 9 in Maple Ridge is not the same bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl on her family’s deck. Authorities are continuing their search for the bear involved in the attack.
The incident occurred when the girl was playing in her backyard, and one of her parents intervened to scare the bear away. Despite law enforcement’s efforts to eliminate what they believed was the aggressor bear, subsequent investigations revealed that it was not the culprit.
The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital. A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains on-site, urging the public to steer clear of the area for safety.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten pointed out that law enforcement officers, like the RCMP, lack the specialized bear knowledge possessed by conservation officers. He highlighted the potential risks of injuring rather than killing a bear with standard police-issue bullets, which could escalate the animal’s aggression.
Lesley Fox, from wildlife conservation group The Fur-Bearers, emphasized the importance of accurate identification and proper evidence in urgent wildlife situations. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for increased conservation officer presence in responding to wildlife incidents.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, citing public safety concerns and the need to prevent further harm. They assured that such decisions are made thoughtfully and in collaboration with the Conservation Officer Service.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, emphasizing the priority placed on predator attacks and the ongoing cooperation between conservation officers and law enforcement agencies.
