After further review and DNA analysis, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that the bear killed on August 9 in Maple Ridge is not the same bear that attacked a three-year-old girl playing on her family’s deck. Authorities are still searching for the bear responsible for the attack.
The young girl was playing in her backyard when the bear attacked, and one of her parents intervened to chase the animal away. Despite multiple appearances of a bear in the area that day, the bear shot by RCMP officers was not the culprit.
The bear was found, necropsied, and determined not to be the one involved in the attack. The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten stated that the police are not bear experts and may not have the necessary training to deal with such situations effectively. He highlighted the risks of injuring a bear rather than killing it, which could make the animal more dangerous.
Lesley Fox, from The Fur-Bearers organization, emphasized the importance of proper identification and evidence in dealing with wildlife incidents. She suggested the need for more conservation officers to handle such cases promptly.
Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to dispatch the bear they believed was responsible, stating that it was done to prevent further harm. They acknowledged the significance of such decisions and mentioned the need for continuous review and improvement in handling wildlife encounters.
