Authorities are continuing their search for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The bear that was shot and killed by the RCMP was not the bear involved in the attack, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

The incident occurred while the young girl was playing on her family’s back deck, and one of her parents intervened to scare off the bear. Although the bear returned multiple times that day, it was later shot by officers as a precaution due to its aggressive behavior.

Following a necropsy, it was determined that the bear killed by the RCMP was not the culprit. The girl sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A specialized predator attack team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service remains at the scene, urging the public to stay away from the area. Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten noted that law enforcement officers, like the RCMP, may not have the expertise in bear behavior compared to conservation officers, potentially leading to misidentification and improper handling of bear encounters.

Lesley Fox, the executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, emphasized the importance of accurate identification and proper handling of wildlife incidents. Both Fox and Macquisten called for more conservation officers to respond to such situations effectively.

Maple Ridge RCMP defended their decision to euthanize the bear, stating that public safety was their top priority. They acknowledged that wildlife encounters are not common for their officers but emphasized the importance of collaboration with conservation authorities in such cases.

Both the RCMP and the Conservation Officer Service are reviewing the incident to improve response protocols and ensure better outcomes in the future.