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Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Community Safety says a wolf has been euthanized after a rare attack by the species was reported in the province last week.
Officials with the province say a person was attacked by a wolf on Oct. 17 in a remote northern area along Highway 914.
Cameco, the uranium mining giant, has since confirmed that one of its contractors was attacked while off-site.
The person sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received medical treatment after returning to Cameco’s Key Lake mill location.
The ministry said its wildlife human attack response team (WHART) is investigating. Part of the investigation involved setting traps in the area of the attack, and on Tuesday the wolf believed to be responsible was captured, the ministry said.
The animal was euthanized and then transported to Prairie Diagnostic Services in Saskatoon for a necropsy.
The ministry said wolves are common in Saskatchewan’s forested regions but generally avoid human contact. Attacks are “rare,” the ministry’s statement reads.
The provincial government says people travelling or working in areas where wolves may be present should avoid attracting wildlife with food or garbage, should remain aware of their surroundings and never approach or feed wolves.
If someone does encounter a wolf they should not run or turn their back to the animal. Instead, face the wolf, make yourself appear large and slowly back away while giving the animal space to leave the area, the ministry said.
Anyone who encounters a wolf that’s aggressive or exhibiting unusual behaviour should file a report with the province by calling 1-800-667-7561.