After a thorough reevaluation of evidence, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the black bear eliminated on August 9 in Maple Ridge was not the bear responsible for the assault on a three-year-old girl while she was playing on her family’s deck. The hunt for the actual bear continues in Maple Ridge, B.C.
The incident occurred when the young girl was on her family’s backyard deck, and one of her parents intervened to scare off the animal. Despite what was initially assumed to be the culprit bear returning multiple times to the area on the same day, law enforcement officers took action to eliminate it due to its aggressive behavior. The bear managed to flee into the woods after being shot.
A necropsy conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Parks on the bear revealed that it was not the one that attacked the girl. The child was promptly taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service predator attack team remains on-site, urging the public to steer clear of the area. Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in dealing with bear incidents compared to conservation officers, emphasizing the potential risks associated with injuring rather than killing bears.
Lesley Fox from The Fur-Bearers stressed the importance of proper identification and evidence-based decision-making in such urgent scenarios. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for the need for more conservation officers to handle wildlife-related incidents effectively.
In response to criticisms, Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to eliminate the bear, emphasizing public safety concerns and the gravity of such decisions. The department pledged to review the incident and explore additional training or equipment options for future encounters. The Conservation Officer Service reiterated the priority given to predator attacks and their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies throughout the province.
