Vancouver Island park closed after black bear attack

Stoney Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island is now closed to the public after a black bear attacked a woman on Friday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. as the woman was hiking with her dogs off-leash.

According to B.C. Conservation Officers, the woman encountered a mother bear with her cub. The sow bear then attacked the woman's dogs. When the woman intervened to protect her pets, she sustained undisclosed injuries from the bear. Both dogs survived the encounter.

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The woman intervened and received undisclosed injuries from the bear

Conservation officers, assisted by RCMP, searched the area but did not locate the bears. In coordination with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the park was closed to ensure public safety. Signage warning of bear activity has been posted.

The Conservation Service has concluded that the attack was defensive in nature. Consequently, there will be no efforts made to locate or capture the bears involved. Officers will continue to monitor bear activity in the region. The public is advised to be aware of precautions to minimize human-wildlife conflicts, such as traveling in groups, keeping pets leashed, and carrying bear spray.

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it has been determined that the attack was defensive and there will be no effort to locate or capture the bears