Parks Canada expanding grizzly bear tracking in Banff
Three adult males were collared this spring as part of a habitat security program. One famous bear, known as The Boss, removed his collar within a week.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks Canada is collaring and tracking more grizzly bears in Banff National Park as part of a long-term effort to protect the species and understand how human activity affects them.
This spring, wildlife teams captured three adult male grizzlies using culvert traps. One was bear No. 122, known informally as The Boss—a large male that removed his collar within a week of being fitted on May 13. Parks Canada notes it's not unusual for large males to shed collars.
The GPS collar data supports what the federal agency calls "evidence-based, adaptive management," helping staff understand habitat suitability across seasons and how human disturbance and road proximity affect bear movement. The collaring program is central to Banff's 2022 management plan, which prioritizes grizzly habitat security.
The numbers tell a complicated story. Between 2021 and 2023, Banff's grizzly population stood at an estimated 71, up from 64 between 2012 and 2014. But a troubling shift emerged: the number of bears within four kilometres of paved roads dropped 56 per cent during that period, likely due to higher mortality from vehicle and train collisions combined with displacement by human activity.
When The Boss ventured into Harvie Heights and Canmore in late 2024, Parks Canada wildlife staff expressed concern, particularly about people photographing him. The collaring program includes temporary public closures when necessary for safety. The agency said the data allows accurate tracking of grizzly movements in and out of national parks—critical for managing a species listed as threatened in Alberta.