The iconic grizzly known as The Boss has emerged in Banff National Park, signaling the return of bears to Alberta’s landscape. Referred to as Bear 122 by Parks Canada, The Boss is a dominant grizzly estimated to be in his mid-to-late twenties and weighing between 650 and 700 pounds. Wildlife photographer Chris Bloodoff, a Banff resident, has spotted The Boss multiple times recently, noting his sluggish movements and extensive sleeping hours.
Bloodoff, who has encountered The Boss for the past seven years, describes the experience as seeing an old friend who looks unchanged over time. Despite his size and status as the largest bear in the Bow Valley, The Boss has a rival in Bear 136, also known as Split Lip. As bear activity increases with spring’s arrival, Parks Canada has closed the Lake Louise Trailer Campground to certain units due to seasonal bear activity.
The public is advised to be respectful of wildlife and give space to bears like The Boss, who are waking up and searching for food. In light of a rise in bear encounters in provincial parks last year, Parks Canada emphasizes the importance of implementing area closures when necessary to ensure the safety of both wildlife and the public during this sensitive time.