Authorities continue to search for the black bear that assaulted a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Sunday. The bear that was put down by the RCMP was not responsible for the attack, as confirmed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
The incident occurred while the young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck, with one of her parents intervening to scare off the bear. Despite authorities shooting what they believed was the culprit bear multiple times due to its aggressive behavior, it managed to escape into the nearby forest.
A necropsy conducted on the bear revealed it was not the one that had attacked the girl. The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital by the RCMP.
A team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service dedicated to predator attacks remains on the scene, urging the public to steer clear of the area. Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten pointed out that law enforcement officers like the RCMP lack the expertise of conservation officers when dealing with bears, emphasizing the potential dangers of injuring rather than killing a bear.
Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of accurate identification and evidence in such situations. Both Fox and Macquisten advocated for increased conservation officer presence to handle wildlife incidents effectively.
In response to criticisms, Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, citing public safety concerns. They noted that such decisions are never made lightly and always undergo thorough review. The Conservation Officer Service highlighted the collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies to address predator attacks promptly.