Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Community Safety has announced that a wolf was put down following a rare attack by the animal in the province last week.
According to provincial officials, an individual was attacked by a wolf on October 17 in a remote area near Highway 914 in the north.
Cameco, a major uranium mining company, has confirmed that one of its contractors was assaulted while off-site.
The individual suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and received medical assistance upon returning to Cameco’s Key Lake mill site.
The ministry reported that its wildlife human attack response team (WHART) is conducting an investigation. As part of this inquiry, traps were set in the vicinity of the incident, and on Tuesday, the wolf suspected of the attack was captured.
The wolf was subsequently euthanized and sent to Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatoon for a necropsy.
Officials from the ministry stated that while wolves are prevalent in Saskatchewan’s wooded areas, they typically steer clear of humans. The ministry emphasized that such attacks are “rare.”
The provincial government advises individuals traveling or working in regions where wolves could be present to refrain from attracting wildlife through food or garbage, stay vigilant of their surroundings, and avoid approaching or feeding wolves.
If a person encounters a wolf, they should not run or turn away from the animal. Instead, they should face the wolf, make themselves appear larger, and gradually back away, allowing the animal space to exit the area, according to the ministry’s guidance.
Anyone who comes across a wolf that is aggressive or displaying unusual behavior is encouraged to report it to the province by calling 1-800-667-7561.
