World Famous Grizzly Bear ‘The Boss” Awakens From Hibernation In Banff National Park
Canada’s Banff National Park features a wide range of wildlife, but none are quite as iconic as the near 65 grizzly bears that call the park their home. Of those 65 bears, one stands out among the rest. The Boss, as he’s now frequently called, is estimated to be in his late 20s, and he’s believed to have fathered around half of the cubs in the area.
The Boss tends to wake up right around the official start of spring, and this year things were no different. Footage captured the park’s most famous grizzly wandering about in the snow after waking up from hibernation. According to Banff Sunshine Village, he appears to weigh around 600-700 pounds.
The awakening of the Boss is a sign that spring is here and plenty of other bears are awakening throughout the park. While park visitors should always remain vigilant and aware of the potential for bear encounters, now is a great time for a refresher on wildlife safety and Banff National Park agrees.
As a visitor, it is your responsibility to respect wildlife and respect all posted signs and restrictions throughout the park. Some areas may be closed to protect both wildlife and visitors, and it’s important that you follows those closures. If you’re hiking, make noise as you move to avoid surprising wildlife, and carry bear spray in a readily accessible area.
Keep an eye out for signs of bear activity including tracks, scat, diggings, torn logs, or overturned rocks, and if the signs seem fresh choose another route. Keep dogs on a leash and under control at all times, or consider leaving them at home, and hike in tight groups of four or more when possible. Keep children close and avoid travelling alone.
Stay on designated trails and travel during daylight hours, and ig you come across a dead animal or smell something pungent, leave the area and immediately alert Parks Canada staff.
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