Bear carcass discovered on Case Road (update, 3 photos)

3 p.m. update:

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) says they have investigated the remains of a black bear found at the end of Case Road and that they do not believe there was any wrongdoing.

“From our perspective it was likely a legally hunted bear. All that was left was the hide, head and paws,” said Jolanta Kowalski, media relations for MNR.

Kowalski said it is the preference of the MNR for hunters to dispose of remains further in the bush, where it is unlikely to upset people.

“We’re certainly of the mind it was bad judgement to dump the remains where they were found,” she added.

She said there was a seal attached, which suggests the person who hunted the bear had a valid tag to do so.

A spokesperson for city police said the matter was handed over to MNR.

Police would assist the MNR in an investigation had they asked.

Because the MNR has determined there was no wrongdoing, the matter is considered closed.

Although the head, hide and paws were left behind, the rest of the bear had been removed from the site prior to the MNR’s arrival.

“What was left was an indication it wasn’t left to spoil,” said Kowalski.

“The fact the back paws were detached isn’t a sign of anything nefarious. That isn’t unusual when legally butchering a bear,” she added.

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Original story

Out for a walk Wednesday night, Sault Ste. Marie resident Andre Riopel was not prepared for the grizzly scene he would come upon at the end of Case Road.

“I walk up and down the road. I saw this bear carcass at the end of the road and said ‘Who does this?’” Riopel said.

The black bear was gutted, skinned and its paws were cut off and left at the scene. Riopel said it appeared to have been a fresh kill.

“They put the bear on a (tree) trunk and it was almost exposed on purpose, showing off the carcass,” he said.

Riopel said he called police and was told the city would clear the remains.

Calls to city police and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) this morning were not immediately returned.

A call to city works could not confirm if the remains have been disposed of, but a representative said MNR would be called if an animal were killed illegally. 

“It was almost macabre. It’s like ‘What is wrong with people?’ It’s pretty sad,” Riopel said.

(SUBMITTED PHOTO: Remains of a bear seen at the end of Case Road on Wednesday night.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: The images in the following gallery are uncensored, graphic and may be upsetting to some readers.