An aggressive black bear that reportedly killed a goat and attacked a llama is injured and on the loose in rural Surrey.
The bear mauled the goat, breaking its neck and killing it, according to the pet’s owners.
“The bear attacked her a number of times, threw her on the ground and dragged her,” Doris Hoffman said.
“It’s not just a garbage bear. This is a killer bear,” said husband George.
The Hoffmans said the bear has since returned since killing the goat and they want it captured before it can attack again.
The day before, the bear approached a llama at a nearby house at 96 Avenue and 176 Street.
Homeowner Jim Clarke said the creature wouldn’t leave his animal alone and the situation continued to escalate.
“This bear’s running at 20 miles an hour like a galloping buffalo and the llama’s trying to hide behind me,” he said. “The bear was relentless to get my llama. Just relentless. He wasn’t going to stop.”
In a moment of panic, Clarke fired the .22-calibre he had been holding, injuring the animal as it retreated into the nearby woods.
Conservation officers are now pouring molasses trails leading to humane traps which they’ve stuffed with the dead goat’s legs in an attempt to lure back the bear.
They say the violent animal will need to be destroyed.
“It seems to come back to this area because it has some food that’s easy access so not only is it not feeding on its natural food source, it’s also wounded, so yeah, definitely a concern,” said conservation officer Jack Trudgian.
He said people need to be aware and vigilant of the injured bear and to call any sightings into the Conservation Officer Service.
It was a busy weekend for conservation officers in Metro Vancouver.
They were called to 168 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey Saturday after reports surfaced of another bear in a tree.
Officers aren't as concerned about that bear, which is only being monitored.
Three other bears were spotted stealing garbage from a Burnaby neighbourhood Friday, prompting officials to warn residents to be more careful with their trash.
RCMP officers herded the bear and two others back into a nearby forest using a siren, but they returned the next morning
The animals dined on some more trash, and were photographed wandering through the neighbourhood, but weren’t located again by authorities.