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Grizzly bear 148 Banff bound

A well-known female grizzly bear that was trapped and caught in Canmore earlier this week after a close encounter with a man and his daughter in a stroller is heading back to Banff National Park – for now.
Grizzly bear 148 will be relocated to Banff National Park after being captured Monday (July 3) by provincial wildlife officials in Canmore.
Grizzly bear 148 will be relocated to Banff National Park after being captured Monday (July 3) by provincial wildlife officials in Canmore.

A well-known female grizzly bear that was trapped and caught in Canmore earlier this week after a close encounter with a man and his daughter in a stroller is heading back to Banff National Park – for now. 

Provincial wildlife officials say bear 148 – which spends 90 per cent of her time in Canada’s flagship national park – will be killed if she again shows behaviour they consider concerning on provincially-managed lands. 

Alberta Fish and Wildlife caught bear 148 in a baited trap in the Peaks of Grassi-Quarry Lake area Monday evening (July 3). Earlier that day, the bruin bluffed at a man with a child in a stroller. He also had two dogs on leash.

Paul Frame, a provincial carnivore specialist with Alberta Parks and Environment, said he recognizes grizzly bears are a threatened species in Alberta, but public safety is the number one concern. 

“If she displays aggressive behaviour, that’s when we have tough decisions to make. Public safety is upmost importance. We probably, at the time, will euthanize,” he added, noting relocation is not a good option. 

 “Some of the behaviour from this bear is quite concerning to us.” 

Bear 148 will be moved to the farthest extent of her home range near Castle Mountain in Banff and the north end of Kootenay National Park, buying her some time as Parks Canada works on possible options, including extensive aversive conditioning. 

Bill Hunt, resource conservation manager for Banff National Park, said the chance of bear 148 getting shot is "certainly concerning," but respects other jurisdictions have different policies. 

But he points to the fact there have been no serious incidents. 

“Female bears are the reproductive engines of the population and she’s lived her entire life in Banff National Park and surrounding area without incident so far,” he said, noting she huffs, puffs and vocalizes when people get too close to her. 

“We believe she was bred this season, so it’s very likely she’ll be producing cubs next season. She’s an important part of grizzly bear population.” 

Canmore’s Kim Titchener, who advises governments and businesses on bear safety and risk management, said it’s gracious of the province to give bear 148 a reprieve, given this bear’s importance to the Bow Valley. 

“I am concerned, though, because Canmore is clearly part of her home range and is a place she may choose to go every year of her life,” said Titchener, of Bear Safety & More. “Every bear that ends up here is going to end up dead unless we come up with plan for the community to compromise their use of the outdoors, for bears.” 

Titchener also points to the fact that dogs seem to trigger reactions in this bear. There were two separate encounters in Banff earlier this spring, including one incident at Mount Norquay when 148 followed hikers after being harassed by their dog. 

She said she would like to see Alberta Environment and Parks and Fish and Wildlife work with the Town of Canmore and community groups on a comprehensive plan for living with bears.

Titchener said she believes most of the community would be open to temporary closures to keep people safe, while allowing bears to live and move through here.

“This is not the only grizzly bear to come and live in Canmore, to be habituated and stressed out … we can’t just take every bear out of the system,” she said, noting bear 148 is only here for short periods of time.

Titchener said she realizes the decision on the bear’s future is not an easy one. 

“This is her home range and it’s a struggle to live with bears in the Bow Valley,” she said. “I feel for everyone involved. These are not easy decisions.” 

After Monday’s encounter, Fish and Wildlife set up baited traps to catch bear 148 and closed off the entire area in the Peaks of Grassi-Quarry Lake and powerline trail area. She was caught early Monday and was headed back to Banff Wednesday.

Brendan Cox, a provincial media spokesman for Alberta Fish and Wildlife, said the man who was bluff charged was out with his daughter, and was carrying bear spray.

“But he had his hands full and did not deploy bear spray,” he said. “The bear rushed within a few metres and then retreated.” 

Canmore bylaw officers and fire department went door knocking at homes in the area Monday afternoon, warning residents there was a grizzly bear and to stay out of the closed area. 

Soon after the traps were set and area closed, Cox said Fish and wildlife officers observed two people go under the closure tape to walk their dog. They were each fined $115. 

“They were fined and given strong warnings that their actions could have negative consequences on bears,” Cox said, noting they also put themselves in harm’s way. 

John Marriott, a local wildlife advocate and wildlife photographer, said 148 is a lot more than just one bear. 

“She represents the fine balance between keeping grizzly bears alive on this landscape amid millions of tourists and residents alike in a valley that is quickly teetering towards the cliff's edge and the point of no return in terms of development, visitation and human usage,” he wrote in a post. 

Marriott said the area should have been closed when it was first learned bear 148 was back in Canmore, before an aggressive encounter like the one on Monday occurred. 

“And even then, this beautiful bear once again decided to just give us a warning, rather than actually hurt someone. She wants to cooperate, but do we?”


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