After a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C., was attacked by a black bear, officials continue to search for the correct bear involved in the incident. The bear that the RCMP had to put down was not the one responsible for the attack, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
The young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when the bear approached. Fortunately, one of her parents intervened and scared off the animal. Despite the believed return of the bear to the area multiple times later that day, the RCMP made the decision to shoot it due to signs of aggression, aiming to safeguard public safety.
Following the shooting, the bear fled into a wooded area and was later retrieved for a necropsy. The examination confirmed that this bear was not the culprit behind the attack. The injured girl was promptly taken to the hospital, with the RCMP confirming that her injuries were not life-threatening.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is currently on-site, urging the public to avoid the area. Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten expressed little surprise at the mistaken identity of the bear targeted for euthanasia, emphasizing that law enforcement officers lack the specialized training in bear behavior possessed by conservation officers.
Macquisten highlighted the potential dangers of injuring rather than killing a bear, as an injured animal could become more hazardous. Lesley Fox from The Fur-Bearers emphasized the importance of accurate identification and scientific methods in such situations. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for increased resources for conservation officers to handle wildlife incidents effectively.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, stating that it was made to prevent further harm. They acknowledged the significance of such decisions and assured that they always review incidents to enhance officer training and equipment for better public service. The Conservation Officer Service reiterated the severity of predator attacks as a top priority and emphasized their collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies province-wide.
