The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that Maple Ridge RCMP officers shot and killed the exact black bear responsible for mauling a three-year-old girl earlier this month, reversing an earlier assessment that had sparked public confusion, according to official statements released Friday.
DNA Evidence Confirms Bear Identity in Maple Ridge Attack
The Aug. 9 attack occurred while the toddler was playing on the deck in her family’s backyard in Metro Vancouver, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service. One of the child’s parents chased the black bear away from the home, and the girl’s father reportedly shot the animal with a compound bow before she was airlifted to B.C. Children’s Hospital with injuries to her back, neck and head, as reported by CTV News. Local RCMP officers responded to the area and killed a bear later that day.
Two days later, the conservation service stated that a necropsy was performed on the bear, and it was not the one responsible for the attack. However, on Friday, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls released a video statement posted to social media announcing a complete reversal. “Following further investigation — including a reassessment of the evidence, additional evidence gathering and DNA analysis — we can now confirm the bear dispatched was in fact the bear responsible for the attack,” Pauls stated. He added that no other bears were dispatched in connection to this incident.
Did You Know?
Following the initial conflicting assessments regarding the animal’s identity, authorities had urged the public to avoid the area while the search for the attacking bear continued.
Agency Apologizes and Reviews Protocol After Initial Confusion
Sgt. Pauls publicly apologized for the confusion caused by the BCCOS’s earlier assessment, expressing gratitude to the RCMP who responded quickly to protect public safety. According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the victim continues to recover from her injuries after previously being reported by police as suffering non-life-altering injuries in the attack. Maple Ridge RCMP stated that it always reviews incidents to determine if there is other training or equipment that could be used to better serve officers and the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the bear attack take place?
The attack occurred on Aug. 9, when a black bear attacked a three-year-old girl playing on her family’s backyard deck.
Did police shoot the correct animal?
Yes. While initial conservation service assessments suggested otherwise, subsequent DNA analysis and a reassessment of evidence confirmed that the bear dispatched was in fact the bear responsible for the attack.
How is the victim currently doing?
According to updates from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the child continues to recover.
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