Officials are continuing their search for the black bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge, B.C. The bear that was euthanized by the RCMP was not the culprit, as confirmed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

According to reports, the young girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when the incident occurred. A parent intervened and scared the bear away from the area. Despite efforts to deter the bear, it returned multiple times throughout the day, prompting officers to shoot it for public safety reasons. The bear managed to flee into a nearby wooded area after being shot.

After conducting a necropsy, the Ministry of Environment and Parks confirmed that the euthanized bear was not the one involved in the attack. The injured girl was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, as stated by the RCMP.

A team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service specializing in predator attacks remains on-site, urging the public to steer clear of the area as the search continues.

Wildlife veterinarian Ken Macquisten expressed little surprise at the mistaken identity of the bear killed, attributing it to law enforcement officers not being bear experts. Macquisten emphasized that police lack the necessary training in bear behavior, often causing more harm than good when dealing with such situations.

Lesley Fox, executive director of The Fur-Bearers wildlife conservation group, stressed the importance of making informed decisions under pressure and employing scientific methods for accurate identification in wildlife encounters. 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 done to prevent further harm or loss of life. They acknowledged the significance of such actions and assured that all incidents are thoroughly reviewed for potential improvements in training and equipment.

In response, the Conservation Officer Service reiterated their commitment to prioritizing predator attacks and collaborating with law enforcement agencies across the province to ensure public safety.