A regional park on Vancouver Island has been closed to the public after a black bear attack, but the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it is not looking for the sow and cub involved in the incident. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in Stoney Hill Regional Park, the BCCOS said in a statement Friday afternoon. A woman was hiking with her off-leash dogs when she encountered the bear and cub. The sow attacked the dogs, prompting the woman to intervene. Conservation officers said she “received undisclosed injuries from the bear,” and her dogs survived the incident. “Conservation officers swept the area, alongside RCMP,” the statement reads. “No bear was seen. In co-ordination with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the park has been closed to ensure public safety.” The BCCOS said its investigation concluded the attack “was defensive in nature.” “No efforts to locate or capture the bears will be made,” the statement reads. Warning signs have been posted in the park, and conservation officers are continuing to monitor bear activity in the area. “The public is encouraged to familiarize themselves with precautions to minimize human-wildlife conflicts, including travelling in groups, leashing pets and carrying bear spray,” the BCCOS said, directing people to the WildSafeBC website for more tips and resources.
