Black Bear Kills 27-Year-Old Man at Remote Uranium Site in Saskatchewan

A 27-year-old man died in a black bear attack over the weekend in northern Saskatchewan, local authorities and his employer said.

The incident occurred about 53 miles northeast of Points North Landing in central Saskatchewan, the province's Ministry of Community Safety said in a statement to CBS News.

The ministry stated that the regional conservation service's Wildlife Human Attack Response Team is investigating. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," the ministry added.

The victim worked as an independent contractor at a facility owned by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp. He encountered the bear at a remote uranium exploration site over the weekend, the company said in a statement on its website.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. The safety and well-being of our employees, contractors, and all personnel working on our projects is, and will always remain, our highest priority," UraniumX CEO Esen Boldkhuu said.

All field operations at the company's Zoo Bay property have been paused as a precaution while the investigation continues.

CBC News, citing the victim's brother, reported that the man had come to Canada from India three years ago.

"The black bear involved in the incident was euthanized by a civilian on scene prior to officers arriving," the Ministry of Community Safety said. The animal was transported to a regional veterinary college for a necropsy.

On the same day, Saskatchewan officials reminded residents to watch for hungry bears near homes and campsites seeking easy food. "Black bears are intelligent and ruled by their stomachs. Limiting attractants is the most effective way to reduce these interactions," the authorities said.

Fatal bear attacks are rare in Saskatchewan, Douglas Clark, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan's School of Environment and Sustainability who studies human-bear interactions, told CBC. "The last one was six years ago," Clark said, "and you have to go quite a few years earlier before you find the next ones in the record."

Last week, authorities said a missing hiker's death in Montana's Glacier National Park was likely caused by a bear attack.