The province has recorded its first fatal bear attack since 1983.
The victim's father, Hubert Esquirol of Edam, has told the press it was his daughter, 44-year-old Stephanie Blais, also of Edam, who was killed. She and her husband Curtis and their two children, Elie and Uma, were staying at the family cabin.
Stephanie Blais was predeceased by her mother Janice Esquirol (who died in 2008) and her older sisters Natalie, who died in a car collision in 1991 in North Battleford.
Around 7:15 p.m. Aug. 20, Buffalo Narrows RCMP was advised of a bear attack that occurred in the forest north of the community of Buffalo Narrows. It was reported an adult male, a 44-year-old woman and two children under the age of 10 (from Saskatchewan) were camping when a black bear attacked the woman. No one else was injured. The woman sustained significant injuries. She was pronounced deceased by medical personnel in Buffalo Narrows after being flown out of the area where the attack occurred.
The area where this incident occurred is very remote – near McKie Lake, approximately 150 kilometers north/northeast of Buffalo Narrows or 20 kilometers directly west of the southern tip of Cree Lake.
Buffalo Narrows RCMP conducted an initial investigation. As the woman’s death is not considered suspicious, it is now considered a Coroner’s Act investigation. In addition, the Ministry of Environment will be conducting their own investigation into the incident due to the involvement of wildlife and any questions about human wildlife conflict should be directed to their contact below.
Initial reports are the bear was destroyed at the scene and there is no ongoing public safety risk in relation to this incident. Ministry of Environment Conservation Officers are on scene and will investigate the circumstances around the attack. The carcass will be sent away and undergo an animal autopsy called a necropsy.
See the related story for comments from Hubert Esquirol.
