Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (June 27/05) - The bear that killed Merlyn Carter was young and healthy, say police and wildlife officials.

The 71-year-old Hay River man and pioneer NWT pilot was killed by a black bear at the family fishing camp at Nonacho Lake late in the day June 14 or early in the morning of June 15. At the time of his death, Carter was alone at the fishing camp, 350 kilometres north of Fort Smith.

His wife, Jean, and his son Myles discovered the tragedy when they arrived at the fishing camp on June 15.

They, too, were attacked by the bear, but survived uninjured. Myles Carter shot and killed the animal.

Police and wildlife officials have concluded their investigations and the bear carcass was towed to the middle of the lake and sunk.

"It was suspected to be a two year old," Cpl. Neil Flett of the Fort Smith RCMP.

The corporal says young adult bears are often chased out of ranges by larger and older bears, and the younger animals then lay claim to other areas.

"Unfortunately, that may have been what happened to Mr. Carter," Flett says, noting there was bear scat and urine spots in the area.

He estimated the bear weighed about 200 pounds. It was 1.4 metres long.

A wildlife officer from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources took the jawbone of the animal, says Judy McLinton, the manager of public affairs and communications.

She says the department is trying to locate an expert to study a tooth from the bear to determine its age.

"It's going to take some time to be done," she says, noting that may mean months.

However, she says the age ranged between two to five years old.

A wildlife officer who went to the scene reported the animal was in good condition, with no obvious sign of disease.

Flett also says the bear appeared healthy.

There was no autopsy of the bear, McLinton says. "Our involvement is over."

Deputy chief coroner Cathy Menard says her office is awaiting information from police and wildlife. A report could be six months to a year.

Menard says it is surmised the attack happened at night, perhaps when the victim was going to the outhouse, because there was a flashlight nearby.

"(But) There are no witnesses to tell us."