A black bear attack led to the closure of a Vancouver Island regional park on Friday when a hiker and her off-leash dogs encountered the bear. The incident occurred at Stoney Hill Regional Park east of Duncan before 10 a.m. PT, as reported by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) on social media.
The hiker was walking her dogs off-leash when they came across a female black bear and a cub. The adult bear attacked the dogs, and the woman sustained injuries while intervening, the specifics of which were not disclosed by the authorities.
Following a search of the area by conservation officers and the RCMP, no bear was found. As a precaution for public safety, the park was closed in collaboration with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Authorities determined the bear’s actions to be defensive and decided against capturing it.
Warning signs have been placed in the park, and the hiker’s dogs survived the encounter. The public is advised to take precautions to minimize human-wildlife conflicts, such as traveling in groups, keeping pets on leashes, and carrying bear spray, according to the statement issued by the BCCOS.