Conservation officers confirm bear shot by RCMP mauled child in Maple Ridge

MAPLE RIDGE - Conservation officers in British Columbia clarified that a black bear, which was killed by RCMP officers last Sunday, was responsible for an attack that left a three-year-old girl with injuries. The girl was attacked on the back deck of her home in Maple Ridge on August 9. A parent managed to drive the bear away, and the child was airlifted to B.C.

Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Mounties observed the bear multiple times in the same area within 40 minutes following the incident, leading officers to believe it was the same bear and shoot it to prevent further harm. Sgt. Jeremy Pauls of the Conservation Officer Service announced that, after reassessing evidence and conducting DNA analysis, they confirmed the killed bear was indeed responsible for the attack.

Pauls apologized for the confusion caused by the initial assessment and expressed gratitude for the quick actions of the RCMP officers who responded to ensure public safety. They also apologized to the victim and her family for any distress caused by the earlier mistake.