A 27-year-old man was fatally attacked by a black bear in northeastern Saskatchewan on Friday, according to the province’s Ministry of Community Safety.
Following the attack 85 kilometres northeast of Points North Landing, the province says the bear was euthanized by a civilian while waiting for officials to arrive at the scene. The bear’s body was then transported hundreds of kilometres south to a Saskatoon veterinary college, where the bear was subject to a necropsy – a post-mortem exam.
“The investigation is in its early stages and there is no further information available at this time,” the ministry said in a statement for Global News.
A wildlife human attack response team and conservation officer services are investigating the attack, alongside RCMP and the provincial coroners service, it added.
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The ministry offered condolences to the man’s family.
It is also reminding those living in communities frequented by bears to be mindful, keep a distance and avoid interacting with the animals as much as possible.
In addition, Parks Canada recommends keeping an eye out for signs that a bear has passed, such as droppings, turned-over rocks and torn-up logs, as well as trekking in groups.
Using bear-resistant containers for food storage while camping is also recommended by the federal park service.
Anyone who encounters a black bear should speak to it and move slowly, allowing it to identify them as a human, the parks service added. Black bears’ sense of sight is not as strong as its sense of smell. If it hops onto its hind legs and sticks its snout in the air, the bear may be trying to sniff something, and is not necessarily being aggressive.
Should a black bear attack, and its young or food is nearby, Parks Canada says to play dead as it’s acting defensively.
Offensive attacks, however, can be difficult to navigate as playing dead is not an option. Hiding behind a vehicle or camper until the bear leaves is ideal, the agency said, adding black bears are effective climbers and to avoid trying to get the higher ground.
If hiding does not work, Parks Canada recommends acting aggressively to try and intimidate the animal by throwing rocks and sticks.
Bear spray may be necessary in these cases, it added.
“If you have an encounter with a bear, call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line,” the ministry said.
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