Canadian hunter fatally injured by polar bear

A Canadian hunter was killed by a polar bear in an Inuit hamlet in Canada’s northernmost territory, officials said Tuesday.

A hunting party left Naujaat the week of Aug. 21 to hunt narwhal and caribou, and were reported missing Sunday when they did not return as expected, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a news release.

Rob Hedley, administrator of the hamlet of Naujaat, told the Canadian Press that the community of Naujaat was taking the news hard.

“They’re young, but experienced hunters,” Hedley said.

The two other hunters, found with the deceased, had minor injuries. They were located Tuesday off the shore of Lyon Inlet, which is 60 miles east of Naujaat. Rescue efforts began Monday, but the hunters initially could not be reached due to ice blocking the path.

“They’re fine. They’re home,” Hedley said.

The polar bear and its cub were killed. This is the second fatal polar bear attack in Nunavut this summer.

The police and coroner are further investigating the death and details will be forthcoming.