A bear that attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge remains on the loose after RCMP killed the wrong bear, officials say.
Bear Attack Search Continues in Maple Ridge
The bear that attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C., is still out there.
Meanwhile, RCMP officers killed a different black bear after the Sunday attack, officials now confirm.
The girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when the bear attacked. One of her parents stepped in and chased the animal away.
The child suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. She was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police Thought They Found the Right Bear
After the attack, police stayed in the area and watched for the animal.
According to Maple Ridge RCMP, a black bear returned several times. Officers believed it was the same bear that had attacked the girl.
As a result, police shot the bear because they believed it posed a danger to the public.
The animal ran into a wooded area after being shot. Officials later recovered its body and carried out a necropsy.
However, the examination delivered a major setback.
The bear killed by police was not the bear that attacked the girl.
Therefore, the search for the correct animal continues.
Wildlife Experts Raise Concerns
The incident has sparked questions about how police respond to dangerous wildlife.
Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten said he was not surprised that officers identified the wrong bear.
He noted that RCMP officers do not receive the same training in bear behaviour as conservation officers.
Moreover, Macquisten said police firearms may not always kill a bear with one shot. Instead, a wounded animal could become even more dangerous.
“That presents a real problem,” he said.
Lesley Fox, executive director of wildlife conservation group The Fur-Bearers, also stressed the need for accurate identification.
She said quick action matters during a wildlife emergency. However, officials also need strong evidence before targeting a specific animal.
Conservation Officers Remain on Scene
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has sent its predator attack team to the area.
Officials continue to search for the bear that attacked the child. At the same time, they are asking residents to stay away from the area.
Fox said police also lack the tools needed to safely tranquilize or contain a wild animal while waiting for conservation officers.
Both Fox and Macquisten said B.C. needs more conservation officers to handle wildlife emergencies.
RCMP Defends Its Decision
Maple Ridge RCMP said officers believed they had found the bear responsible for the attack.
The force said officers made the decision to kill the animal to prevent another injury or possible loss of life.
However, RCMP acknowledged the seriousness of the incident.
The department said wildlife encounters are not routine for its officers. Still, such calls can become more common during periods of increased bear activity.
RCMP also said it reviews incidents like this one. As a result, the force may identify new training or equipment that could help officers respond more effectively in the future.
Search for the Bear Continues
For now, the main concern remains the same: finding the bear that attacked the girl.
The Conservation Officer Service said predator attacks receive its highest priority. It also works with police and other agencies during these emergencies.
Residents are being urged to avoid the area while the search continues.
The wrong bear may have been killed, but the bear officials are looking for remains at large.
