After a thorough investigation involving re-examination of evidence, collection of new evidence, and DNA analysis, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on August 9 in Maple Ridge is not the bear responsible for the attack on a three-year-old girl who was playing on her family’s deck. Authorities are still on the lookout for the black bear that attacked the girl.
The incident occurred while the young girl was playing in her backyard, and one of her parents intervened to chase the bear away. Despite efforts by Maple Ridge RCMP to neutralize what they believed was the offending bear, subsequent examination through a necropsy revealed it was not the bear involved in the attack.
The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital. A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is currently at the scene, urging the public to steer clear of the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten highlighted the lack of expertise among law enforcement personnel in handling bear situations, emphasizing the potential risks posed by injuring rather than killing a bear. He stressed the importance of proper identification and evidence-based decision-making in such critical scenarios.
Both Macquisten and Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, called for increased resources and training for conservation officers to effectively manage encounters with wildlife. In response, Maple Ridge RCMP defended their actions, stating that the decision to dispatch the bear was made to prevent further harm.
The incident underscores the need for collaboration between law enforcement agencies and conservation authorities to ensure swift and accurate responses to wildlife encounters. Efforts are being made to enhance training and equip officers better for handling such situations in the future.