At approximately 8 p.m. (MT) on Friday, September 29, 2023, Parks Canada Dispatch in Banff National Park received an alert from an inReach/GPS device indicating a bear attack. The alert location originated from within Banff National Park, specifically in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch. Parks Canada immediately mobilized a Wildlife Human Attack Response Team, comprised of members specially trained in responding to wildlife attacks. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, helicopters were unable to be used, so the response team traveled to the location by ground throughout the night.
The response team arrived on-site at 1 a.m. and discovered two deceased individuals. While in the area, the response team encountered a grizzly bear displaying aggressive behavior.
Parks Canada stated that the grizzly bear responsible for the attack was previously unknown to Parks Canada and had lower-than-normal body fat for this time of year.
In a media release issued on Tuesday, Parks Canada announced that a necropsy had been conducted on the bear. The bear was determined to be a non-lactating older female, estimated to be over 25 years old. Although the bear was in fair body condition, her teeth were in poor condition.
“DNA samples from the bear have been sent to the lab to confirm its involvement in the attack. Updated results from these studies will only be provided if they differ from the information shared to date,” stated the media release.
The bear was shot and killed hours after the emergency response call was received when Parks Canada staff arrived at the scene, and the bear charged at the response team.
According to a family member of one of the deceased, the victims were long-time partners. The couple’s dog, who was with them at the time, was also killed.
Parks Canada will not release information regarding the identities of the victims but provided further details about the scene of the attack.
Parks Canada mentioned that two cans of bear spray were found at the scene, and the couple’s food had been properly hung to deter bears.
“The individuals were on a backcountry hiking and camping trip and had the appropriate permits to do so. The individuals were also traveling with their dog,” Parks Canada stated.
At the time of the incident, there was no active bear warning or area closure in place. The area, in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, remains closed to the public.
“Bear attacks are rare occurrences. Fatal bear attacks are even less frequent. Over the last 10 years, there have been three recorded non-fatal contact encounters with grizzly bears in Banff National Park. These incidents were the result of surprise encounters. This incident is the first grizzly bear-caused fatality recorded in Banff National Park in decades,” Parks Canada concluded.
