The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed the identity of the bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C. The bear was killed by RCMP on August 9 after a thorough examination of evidence, collection of new evidence, and DNA analysis.
Authorities are still actively searching for the black bear that attacked the young girl as she played on her family’s back deck. The attack occurred when one of her parents intervened and scared the bear away. Despite initial beliefs, the bear that was shot by officers and later necropsied was found not to be the culprit behind the attack.
The three-year-old girl sustained non-life-altering injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital by RCMP. A predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains on-site, urging the public to steer clear of the area.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten highlighted that law enforcement agencies, such as the RCMP, may lack the expertise and ammunition necessary to handle bear incidents effectively. Macquisten emphasized the importance of proper bear identification and the potential risks posed by injuring bears during such encounters.
Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, emphasized the significance of making informed decisions under pressure and employing scientific methods for accurate animal identification. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for increased numbers of conservation officers to enhance wildlife response capabilities.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to dispatch the bear, stating it was made in the interest of preventing further harm. The department stressed that encounters with bears are not routine for officers but are more common during seasonal bear activity.
Both law enforcement and the Conservation Officer Service are reviewing the incident to assess if additional training or equipment could improve response procedures. The Conservation Officer Service reiterated that predator attacks are a top priority and collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies across the region.