RCMP in Fort Simpson say they are investigating reports a wildlife officer trying to shoot a bear may have hit a man instead.
Police said the incident happened on Friday.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) officer was “tracking a bear within the town’s boundary that posed a safety concern,” police said in a statement on Saturday.
“The ENR Officer discharged his firearm in response to the bear’s aggressive behaviour,” RCMP wrote in the statement. “Shortly thereafter, a man reported he had been injured as a result of the discharge.”
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An investigation has begun. The injured man was taken to Yellowknife for treatment of an injury that police said was not life-threatening.
The identities of the officer and the injured man were not made public.
Police said the bear was later located and destroyed.
RCMP asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Fort Simpson detachment at 867-695-1111 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources did not immediately comment.
