UPDATE, Aug. 14 — The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on Aug. 9 in Maple Ridge, B.C., is not the same bear that attacked a three-year-old girl while she was playing on her family’s deck. Authorities are still searching for the black bear responsible for the attack.
The incident occurred when the young girl was on the deck in her backyard, and one of her parents intervened to chase the bear away. Despite initial beliefs that the bear had returned to the area multiple times, leading to it being shot by officers for public safety concerns, subsequent investigation revealed it was not the culprit.
Following a necropsy conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, it was determined that the bear killed did not match the DNA evidence from the attack. The girl sustained non-life-altering injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital by RCMP.
A B.C. Conservation Officer Service predator attack team remains on the scene, urging the public to steer clear of the area. Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten noted that law enforcement, such as the RCMP, lacks the expertise in bear behavior compared to conservation officers. He emphasized the importance of proper identification and handling of wildlife incidents, suggesting the need for more trained personnel in responding to such situations.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their actions, stating that the decision to dispatch the bear was made to prevent further harm, although they acknowledged the significance of such actions and the collaboration with the Conservation Officer Service in handling wildlife encounters. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities in dealing with wildlife conflicts and the importance of accurate assessments in such cases.