UPDATE: In an update sent out Friday morning, the Ministry of Community Safety confirmed the two individuals founds near McTavish Lake were killed by a bear. The Ministry declined to release the names of the victims because the investigation is still underway.
“After careful investigation, conservation officers have located and euthanized the bear suspected to be involved in the incident,” reads the update. “The bear is being transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine where a necropsy will be conducted.”
The Ministry said the RCMP are no longer involved because the deaths are not considered suspicious. The Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service and Coroner’s Service will manage the investigation.
[Story updated at 12:07 p.m. on Friday, July 17.]
The La Ronge RCMP are investigating the deaths of two individuals who may have been killed by wildlife.
Officers found two people deceased in the McTavish Lake region north of La Ronge following a call for service on July 15. Investigators suspect the deaths are wildlife related, according to an Ministry of Community Safety press release.
The investigation is still in the early stages.
“The Conservation Officer Service’s Wildlife Human Attack Response Team has been deployed and is working closely with the Coroner’s Service and the RCMP to investigate this incident,” reads the RCMP press release. “Conservation officers are working to identify and locate the animal(s) that may have been involved in the incident.”
The Ministry of Community Safety extended its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this incident. The Ministry also advised northern residents, cabin owners, and visitors to exercise caution when outdoors and ignore wildlife encounters.
