UPDATE: The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on August 9 in Maple Ridge is not the one responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl on her family’s deck. Authorities are still searching for the actual bear involved in the incident.
According to officials, the young girl was playing in her backyard when the attack occurred. Her parent intervened and scared the bear away. Despite initial beliefs, the bear that was shot by RCMP officers multiple times and later euthanized was not the culprit.
The girl suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. A team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is currently at the scene, and the public is advised to stay away from the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten expressed no surprise over the mistaken identity of the bear, suggesting that police officers lack expertise in bear behavior compared to conservation officers. He highlighted the risk of injuring a bear with standard police-issue bullets, potentially making the animal more dangerous.
Both Macquisten and Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, emphasized the need for more conservation officers to handle such 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 such actions and mentioned ongoing reviews to enhance officer training and equipment.
The Conservation Officer Service emphasized that predator attacks are a top priority and highlighted their collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the province.