Officials are continuing their search for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C. The bear that was recently put down by the RCMP was not the culprit. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service disclosed that the young girl was on the deck in her family’s backyard when the incident occurred. A parent intervened and scared off the bear.
The Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the suspected bear revisited the area multiple times while the police were present. Due to its aggressive behavior, officers had to shoot the bear to ensure public safety. The bear escaped into the woods after being shot. Despite recovering the bear and conducting a necropsy, it was confirmed that it was not the bear involved in the attack.
The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital, as per the RCMP. A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains on the scene, urging the public to avoid the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten remarked that it was not surprising that the wrong bear was euthanized, emphasizing that police officers lack the expertise in bear behavior compared to conservation officers. He noted that police bullets are more likely to injure rather than kill a bear, creating a higher risk of danger from an injured bear.
Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of making informed decisions based on proper evidence in such urgent situations. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for an increased presence of conservation officers to handle wildlife incidents effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, stating that it was done to prevent further harm. They acknowledged the significance of wildlife preservation and assured that such decisions are made after careful consideration. The department highlighted the need for ongoing review to enhance officer training and equipment for public safety.
The Conservation Officer Service emphasized the priority given to predator attacks and highlighted their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies across the province.