DNA review confirms police killed bear that mauled Maple Ridge child

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says Maple Ridge RCMP killed the bear that mauled a three-year-old girl, reversing its earlier assessment that police had shot the wrong animal.

The service said DNA analysis and a reassessment of the evidence confirmed Friday that the bear killed shortly after the attack was the one responsible. It apologized for confusion caused by its initial conclusion and said no other bear was shot in connection with the incident.

The child was attacked at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 while playing on the deck of her family home in the 12300 block of 240 Street. A parent drove the bear away, and the girl was airlifted to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police said they saw a bear several times in the area within about 40 minutes of the attack, including on residential properties where people were outside. The Conservation Officer Service has concluded its investigation.