Indian MMA fighter dies in bear attack at Saskatchewan site

A 27-year-old aspiring mixed martial arts fighter from India was killed in a rare bear attack while working at a remote uranium exploration site in northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Hrishikesh Koloth died on May 8 near Nordbye Lake, approximately 850 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

Koloth was employed as a contract technician at the Zoo Bay property, a site operated by Vancouver-based UraniumX Discovery Corp. According to authorities, a civilian worker at the location shot and killed the black bear following the attack. The animal’s remains were transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon for a necropsy to determine its health and condition.

Originally from Kerala, India, Koloth had moved to Canada three years ago to live with his elder brother, Arjun, in Penticton, British Columbia. He had trained in martial arts for over a decade and was pursuing a professional fighting career with the goal of competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was also scheduled to begin work as a boxing coach in Vancouver in June.

In a statement, UraniumX Discovery Corp CEO Esen Boldkhuu expressed deep sadness over the loss and said the safety of personnel...