The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on August 9 in Maple Ridge, B.C., is not the one responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl on her family’s deck. Despite efforts to locate the bear, it remains at large. The incident occurred when the girl was playing outside and was intervened by a parent who chased the animal away.
After multiple sightings of the bear in the area, law enforcement officers shot it for public safety reasons, believing it to be the culprit. However, a subsequent necropsy revealed it was not the bear involved in the attack. The young girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
An expert in wildlife veterinary, Ken Macquisten, pointed out that the police lack the necessary expertise in dealing with bears compared to conservation officers. He mentioned that using certain types of bullets may not effectively kill a bear on the first shot, potentially leading to a more dangerous situation if the animal becomes injured.
The executive director of The Fur-Bearers, Lesley Fox, emphasized the importance of accurate identification and proper evidence collection in such scenarios. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for increased resources for conservation officers to handle wildlife incidents more effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to dispatch the bear, stating that it was made to prevent further harm. They acknowledged the significance of wildlife loss and assured that all incidents are thoroughly reviewed for possible improvements in training and equipment. The Conservation Officer Service reiterated that predator attacks are a top priority and emphasized their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies across the province.