A 27-year-old man from India has died after being attacked by a black bear at a uranium exploration site in Saskatchewan, Canada.According to CBC News, this is considered an extremely rare fatal incident in the province.The attack occurred near Nordbye Lake on Friday night while the man was performing contract duties at the Zoo Bay property operated by UraniumX Discovery Corp in Vancouver. The site is approximately 850 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon.The man moved to Canada three years ago and lives in Penticton, B.C., according to his brother. His name has not yet been officially released. The attack took place approximately 78 kilometers from Lake Nordbye.The company said in a statement that it provided assistance to workers on site following the emergency.“This incident is one of the emergencies in which we are called upon to provide assistance,” the statement said.The company said it provided equipment and supplies to staff working with the victims.“Our condolences go out to the family and colleagues of the person who suffered the fatal attack,” the company wrote.After the attack, a civilian at the scene shot and killed the bear. The animal was sent to Western Veterinary College in Saskatoon for a necropsy. Investigators are expected to examine the bear’s health, condition and other evidence related to the incident.Douglas Clark, a professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan and an expert on human-bear conflict, said bear attacks in Saskatchewan are very rare.“This incident is only the fourth recorded in the province,” Clark said.“The last time was six years ago,” Clark said.He added: “You have to look years in advance to find the next one on the record.”The most recent previous fatal attack occurred in 2020, when 44-year-old Stephanie Blais was killed near the family cabin north of Buffalo Sound. Prior to this, two men were killed in separate bear attacks near Nipawin Provincial Park in 1983.Clark warned that conditions in northern Saskatchewan this spring have increased risks for outdoor workers.“It’s been a very relaxing spring,” he said.“There’s still a lot of snow on the ground out there. That means the bears coming out of their dens are going to have less food than usual,” he added.He explained that because of the limited food available after hibernation, bears will travel great distances in search of food.The day of the attack, authorities warned the public that bears were emerging from hibernation and advised residents and workers to take precautions in wilderness areas.Clark also urged people in bear-prone areas to carry bear spray. “It’s proven to be effective across all species in North America,” he said.
