McTAVISH LAKE — Update, Aug. 17: A necropsy confirmed that the euthanized bear was involved in the incident that resulted in the deaths of Deb and Jay MacDonald whose bodies were found in the McTavish Lake area on July 15.
"The Ministry of Community Safety extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy," the ministry said in a media release on Aug. 17. "No further updates will be provided."
Update July 17: The Ministry of Community Safety is confirming that a bear was involved in the incident that resulted in the death of two individuals who were found at McTavish Lake.
"After careful investigation, conservation officers have located and euthanized the bear suspected to be involved in the incident," states the July 17 release. "The bear is being transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine where a necropsy will be conducted."
The wildlife incident remains under investigation. The RCMP was involved in the initial investigation, but as this death is not considered suspicious in nature, the investigation will now be managed by the Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service and Coroner's Service. The ministry thanks the RCMP for their support in this investigation.
No further updates will be provided at this time, says the Ministry of Community Safety.
Original post July 16: Saskatchewan's Community Safety Ministry says two people have been found dead in an area where a wildlife investigation is ongoing.
On July 15, states a ministry release, La Ronge RCMP received a call for service related to a suspected wildlife incident at McTavish Lake. During the investigation, two individuals were found deceased in the area. The deaths are suspected to be wildlife-related.
The Conservation Officer Service's Wildlife Human Attack Response Team has been deployed and is working with the Coroner's Service and the RCMP to investigate this incident.
Conservation officers are working to identify and locate the animal or animals that may have been involved in the incident.
The investigation remains in its early stages, and no further comment will be provided at this time, says the ministry. Updates will be provided as they become available.
The ministry advises residents, cabin owners, visitors and outdoor recreation users to exercise caution when outdoors to avoid wildlife encounters.
In its release, the Ministry of Community Safety extends sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.
