Hrishikesh Koloth moved to Canada chasing a fighting dream.
The 27-year-old mixed martial arts fighter from Kerala, India, has been identified as the man killed in a black bear attack at a remote uranium exploration site in northern Saskatchewan. People reported that Koloth was working as an independent contractor for UraniumX Discovery Corp. when the attack happened on May 8 at the company’s Zoo Bay property.
Koloth had been living in Penticton, British Columbia, with his brother, Arjun Koloth. He was training in mixed martial arts, preparing to coach boxing, and still hoping one day to reach the UFC.
Koloth Was Training in Canada While Working in the Resource Sector
Koloth trained with Skoden Martial Arts in Penticton after moving to Canada from India.
People reported that Arjun told CBC his brother was fearless and willing to take fights on short notice, even against heavier opponents.
“He’s not scared of anything,” Arjun said, according to People’s report. “Two days’ notice before a fight? Doesn’t matter. Opponent heavier than him? Doesn’t matter. Win or lose, he just wanted to fight.”
Koloth was expected to begin work as a boxing coach in June. Arjun said the UFC dream was part of why his brother came to Canada.
The Attack Happened at UraniumX’s Zoo Bay Property
UraniumX confirmed that one independent contractor died on May 8 after what the company called a wildlife encounter at its Zoo Bay property in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin.
The company said it was cooperating with local authorities, wildlife officials, and government agencies while the investigation continued.
UraniumX also said all field activities at Zoo Bay were temporarily halted as a precaution while the review was underway. Work at its other projects, including Murphy Lake, continued as planned.
The Bear Was Killed Before Officers Arrived
CBS News reported that the black bear involved in the attack was euthanized by a civilian at the scene before officers arrived.
CKOM reported that the Conservation Officer Service’s Wildlife Human Attack Response Team, RCMP, and the coroner’s service were investigating. The bear’s body was taken to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy.
Officials had not released a full public explanation of what led to the attack.
His Brother Remembered the Dream Behind the Move
Image Credit: Firstpost/ YouTube.
For Koloth’s family, the story is not only about a fatal wildlife encounter.
Arjun told CBC, according to People, that his brother wanted to fight professionally and hoped to reach the UFC.
“That was his dream. That’s why he came here,” Arjun said.
People reported that Arjun had returned to Kerala for his brother’s funeral after the attack.
The Fatal Attack Was Unusual for Saskatchewan
Fatal bear attacks are rare in Saskatchewan.
CKOM reported that the May 8 attack was only the fourth fatal bear attack in Saskatchewan history, citing the provincial government.
The Saskatchewan government had also issued a spring bear-safety reminder, saying black bears are more active as temperatures rise and often look for easy food sources near homes and campsites.
The province advises people who encounter a bear to stay calm, avoid running, back away slowly, prepare bear spray if they have it, and defend themselves if attacked by a black bear.
The Investigation Is Still Ongoing
Authorities have not released every detail about the encounter at Zoo Bay.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances at the remote site, including the bear’s condition and any factors that may have contributed to the attack.
Koloth’s death has left family, teammates, and friends in India and Canada mourning a fighter whose plans were still taking shape. His brother’s words give the clearest picture of him: he wanted to fight, he was preparing to coach, and he came to Canada chasing a dream that ended far too soon.