A 22-year-old student was tragically killed by a pack of wolves in Canada after making a final haunting phone call to his mother, in a devastating incident that unfolded during his university placement.
The Fateful Walk
Kenton Carnegie was participating in a geological survey programme in Points North Landing, Canada, when the horrific attack occurred on November 8, 2005. The young man had decided to take a walk by a nearby lake to "go look at the rocks in the bay" despite being warned about potential danger.
Bush pilot Todd Svarckopf had reportedly advised Kenton against leaving the camp and even invited him to play hockey in the airport's hangar instead. Unfortunately, the enthusiastic student could not be dissuaded from his nature walk.
The Wolf Attack Unfolds
Approximately one kilometre from the safety of camp, the situation turned deadly when a wolf appeared and began tracking Kenton through the snow. Realising the danger, the student quickened his pace, but the situation rapidly deteriorated when two additional wolves joined the hunt.
The pack launched their savage attack, knocking Kenton to the ground. Despite his attempts to fight back against the animals, his struggle proved futile against the coordinated wolf pack.
The Aftermath and Investigation
When Kenton failed to return, the camp organised a search party that evening. They followed his tracks leading to the lake, where they made the grim discovery of his body surrounded by numerous wolf tracks.
Rosalie Tsannie, the province's coroner for the north, was called to the scene and described the chilling moment when she heard wolves howling nearby during the recovery operation. "It was just too close for comfort, for me," she told CBC News. "It felt as if I would reach over and touch the one to my left."
In a heartbreaking detail, it emerged that Kenton had called his mother the day before his death and mentioned that wolves had been spotted in the area surrounding the remote Canadian camp.
Three days after the tragic incident, wildlife officers from the Environment Department shot two wolves. An autopsy later discovered hair and other material in their digestive tracts that may have originated from a human being. One of the wolves was described as well-muscled and weighing approximately 46kg.
Kenton's father paid tribute to his son, describing him as "a dynamic kid" who loved nature. "He wasn't out there trying to sketch them or feed them, as some articles might have implied," he explained. "He was just going for a walk. He loved nature and wanted to go look at the rocks in the bay."
