Update July 17, 2026: The Ministry of Community Safety can confirm a bear was involved in the incident that tragically resulted in the death of two individuals who were found at McTavish Lake. The names of the deceased will not be released to the public as the investigation remains underway.
After careful investigation, conservation officers have located and euthanized the bear suspected to be involved in the incident. 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.
An investigation is currently underway in the McTavish lake area.
On July 15, 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 Ministry of Community Safety extends sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.
The ministry advises residents, cabin owners, visitors and outdoor recreation users to exercise caution when outdoors to avoid wildlife encounters.
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.
Conservation officers are working to identify and locate the animal(s) 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. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Photo:Pixabay
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