The B.C. Conservation Service has corrected its initial assessment following a bear attack on a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge. The service confirmed that the bear shot by Maple Ridge RCMP was indeed the same bear that attacked the child.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, in the 12300 block of 240th Street. The girl, Anaiyah Lekei, suffered severe injuries after being clawed and bitten multiple times on her head, neck, and back. Her family’s quick actions saved her life.
The Incident and Immediate Response
At approximately 11:30 a.m., Anaiyah was playing on her family’s back deck when the bear attacked. Her mother, Andrea Lekei, recounted the harrowing moment: “Suddenly, she started screaming just the blood-curdling scream, and my husband was able to get to the patio first.” Andrea’s husband managed to pull the bear off Anaiyah, who was trapped underneath it. The bear was about to attack again when the father intervened, eventually shooting it between the eyes with a bow and arrow.
The family immediately tried to stop the bleeding with towels while waiting for medical help. Anaiyah was airlifted to the hospital and underwent surgery for her injuries. Her condition was described as not life-threatening, but the trauma was significant.
The Conservation Service’s Correction
Initially, the Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the bear shot in a neighbor’s yard about 30 minutes after the attack was not the same bear. However, after further investigation, including a reassessment of the evidence and DNA analysis, the B.C. Conservation Service confirmed that the bear dispatched was indeed the one responsible for the attack.
“Following further investigation, including a reassessment of the evidence, additional evidence gathering, and DNA analysis, we can now confirm the bear dispatched was in fact the bear responsible for the attack,” said Sgt. Jeremy Pauls in an update on Facebook. “No other bears were dispatched in connection to this incident.”
The Conservation Service acknowledged the impact of their earlier assessment and apologized for the confusion it caused. “We recognize the impact of our earlier assessment and apologize for the confusion it caused,” Pauls stated. “We’re grateful to the RCMP officers who responded quickly to protect public safety.”
The Community’s Response
The community has rallied around the Lekei family, with friends starting a GoFundMe campaign to help them take time off work to care for Anaiyah. The fundraiser aims to support Andrea Lekei and her partner, Bradley Farnum, during this difficult time.
As the family continues to recover, the B.C. Conservation Service has concluded its investigation. The thoughts of the community and the Conservation Service remain with the victim and her family as they heal from this traumatic event.
