RCMP kills wrong bear after 3-year-old attacked in Maple Ridge
Officers shot a bear that returned to the attack site, but wildlife officials later confirmed it wasn't the one that mauled the child.
Conversation activity · last 2 days peak 6/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 12 items across 2 sources · 2h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
A three-year-old girl was mauled by a black bear on her family's backyard deck in Maple Ridge, B.C. on August 9, 2026. While RCMP officers were responding, a bear returned to the property showing aggression, and they shot it to protect public safety. On August 11, conservation officials confirmed the killed bear was not the one responsible for the attack, and the search for the actual attacking bear continues.
- RCMP shot a bear at the scene after it repeatedly returned showing aggression, but wildlife officials later confirmed it was not the bear that attacked the child.
- The three-year-old victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital; a parent intervened during the attack.
- The actual attacking bear remains at large with conservation officials continuing search efforts.
- Social media criticism focuses on killing the wrong bear without verification, with calls for tranquilizer-then-test protocols.
How it unfolded
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Social media users criticize the decision to kill the bear without confirming it was the attacker. One commentator suggests tranquilizing bears first and testing to identify the correct animal before euthanasia.
“They should be shooting the bears with tranquilizers and then testing to see if it's the one they're after. Once they find the right one, they can euthanize it but the other bears should be released.”
carrieberry@mstdn.social · Mastodon ↗ -
CBC and Castanet report that wildlife officials have confirmed the bear killed by RCMP at the scene was not the one responsible for attacking the child. The search for the actual attacking bear continues.
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CTV News reports that authorities are continuing to search for the bear, noting significant manpower deployed to the effort.
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Coverage emerges of the attack and the decision to shoot the bear. Police and conservation officials confirm details and describe the child's injuries as non-life-threatening.
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A three-year-old girl was attacked by an adult black bear while playing on her family's backyard deck in the 12300 block of 240 Street. A parent nearby intervened and chased the bear away. The child was airlifted to BC Children's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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While RCMP were on scene, the bear returned to the residence and immediate area multiple times showing high aggression. Officers discharged a firearm to protect public safety in the area.
“As the bear had showed signs of aggression and already attacked a small child, officers made the decision to discharge a firearm in an effort to protect public safety in the immediate area”
RCMP · Google News ↗
What people are saying verbatim
“As the bear had showed signs of aggression and already attacked a small child, officers made the decision to discharge a firearm in an effort to protect public safety in the immediate area”
RCMP, Law enforcement · Maple Ridge News ↗
“They should be shooting the bears with tranquilizers and then testing to see if it's the one they're after. Once they find the right one, they can euthanize it but the other bears should be released.”
carrieberry@mstdn.social, Social media commenter · Mastodon ↗ · Aug 10
“Officials continue to advise the public in the surrounding area to be aware and stay indoors”
RCMP, Law enforcement · Maple Ridge News ↗
“Our thoughts are with the child, her family, and all those affected by this incident”
BC Conservation Officer Service, Wildlife management · 650 CKOM ↗
The conversation positions from the crowd, verbatim
A small but focused conversation on social media criticizes the decision to shoot the bear without first confirming it was the attacker. The primary voice advocates for a more cautious protocol involving tranquilizers and testing before euthanasia.
The dispute Whether killing the bear at the scene was justified vs. whether authorities should have tranquilized and tested bears to identify the actual attacker before taking lethal action.
RCMP acted appropriately in shooting a bear showing aggression at the scene to protect public safety.
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“As the bear had showed signs of aggression and already attacked a small child, officers made the decision to discharge a firearm in an effort to protect public safety”
RCMP · Maple Ridge News ↗
Police should tranquilize bears first and verify identity before killing; innocent bears deserve release.
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“They should be shooting the bears with tranquilizers and then testing to see if it's the one they're after. Once they find the right one, they can euthanize it but the other bears should be released.”
carrieberry@mstdn.social · Mastodon ↗