Bear killed after attacking man walking with dog on Metro Vancouver trail

Man Injured in Black Bear Attack on Lower Mainland Trail

A man walking his dog on a Lower Mainland trail was injured earlier this week in a black bear attack, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service reports.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon along an off-leash dog trail near 240th Street in Maple Ridge. Conservation officer Jordan Ferguson stated that the man heard a commotion behind him and turned to see his dog confronting the bear.

“He tried to grab his dog and retreat from the area, and the bear then turned its attention to him,” Ferguson explained.

The man then engaged in a physical altercation with the bear. Fortunately, a group of nearby anglers came to his aid, resulting in the man being injured and the black bear being killed.

The circumstances surrounding the bear’s death are still under investigation. However, Ferguson confirmed that it was done in self-defence and no enforcement action will be taken against those involved.

The man sustained minor injuries and has been released from the hospital, while his dog was unharmed.

The black bear’s body is currently undergoing a necropsy at an Abbotsford lab to determine if there were any factors that influenced its behavior and decision to attack.

Ferguson stressed the importance of safety precautions when venturing into the outdoors, particularly in areas where bears are prevalent. He noted that bears in the Lower Mainland do not fully hibernate due to mild winters and ample food sources.

“When exploring natural areas, it’s crucial to be prepared to encounter bears year-round,” he advised. “If faced with a bear, the best course of action is to calmly leave the area, make yourself appear large, and slowly back away.”

The B.C. Conservation Foundation recommends several measures to reduce the risk of bear encounters, such as making noise while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife, properly managing attractants like garbage, keeping pets on leashes, and carrying bear spray for protection.

According to the foundation, black bears prompt up to 25,000 calls to provincial conservation officers annually and can exhibit more aggressive behavior when they associate humans with a food source.

British Columbia is home to one of the world’s largest populations of black bears, with an estimated 150,000 individuals residing in the province.