3-Year-Old Girl Hospitalized After Bear Attack Outside Maple Ridge Home
Sarah Desjardins
8/10/20261 min read
A three-year-old girl has been hospitalized after being attacked by a bear outside her family’s home in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Sunday.
Maple Ridge RCMP said the attack happened at approximately 11:30 a.m. PT at a residence on 240 Street near 124 Avenue.
According to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the girl was playing on a deck in her family’s backyard when the bear attacked her.
A parent intervened and managed to chase the animal away.
Girl Airlifted to Hospital
Emergency crews responded to the home, and the girl was transported to hospital by air ambulance.
RCMP said the decision to use an air ambulance was made “out of an abundance of caution due to her age.”
“She is currently in hospital with non-life-altering injuries,” police said in a statement.
Authorities did not provide additional details about the nature of the girl’s injuries.
Bear Returned to Area Several Times
Police said the bear continued showing a “high degree of interest” in the area following the attack and returned several times while officers were at the scene.
At around noon, officers encountered the bear and opened fire.
RCMP said the decision was made “to protect public safety” because the animal had displayed signs of aggression and had already attacked a young child.
The bear was struck by the gunfire but managed to flee into a nearby wooded area.
Conservation Officers Searching for Bear
A predator attack response team from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service has since taken over efforts to locate and track the wounded bear.
Residents in the surrounding neighbourhood are being advised to remain alert and stay indoors while the search continues.
Authorities are also urging people not to approach the bear if they encounter it.
Anyone who sees the animal is asked to contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
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