Three weeks after an eight-year-old girl was attacked by a bear near Caddy lake, the secluded campsite is still closed.

Manitoba Sustainable Development says a bear attacked the girl's tent on Saturday, July 21st at a back-country campsite on South Cross Lake. The bear swiped the tent, injuring the girl. The girl's father was able to scare the bear away from the campsite, alert other campers, and get into their canoe.

A provincial spokesperson says the campsite will remain closed until Manitoba Sustainable Development is able to confirm the bear involved in the attack has been removed or a significant amount of time has passed since the bear encounter. The spokesperson says they treat each incident on a case by case basis so there is no set date that the campsite will reopen.

Conservation Officers are still searching for the bear.

Manitoba Sustainable Development would like to remind campers to always treat wild animals with caution, be aware of your surroundings and the species of wildlife you may encounter, and exercise extra caution at night, dusk, and early morning.

According to Manitoba Sustainable Development, if you encounter wildlife you are supposed to do the following:

  • Stop.
  • Make yourself appear larger.
  • Make noise.
  • Maintain eye contact
  • Back away slowly.
  • Never run as this may provoke a chase and an attack.

Read more: Young Girl Survives Bear Attack