Banff National Park's iconic grizzly bear, known as 'The Boss' (bear 122), has been spotted on a trail camera without its GPS tracking collar, park officials confirmed. The bear was photographed on April 7 in the Lower Bow Valley, and the missing collar was noticed during routine monitoring.
Mystery of the Missing Collar
The collar, which was fitted to track the bear's movements and behavior, appears to have been removed. Park officials are investigating whether the bear managed to slip it off or if there was human interference. 'The Boss' is a well-known figure in the area, often seen by visitors and researchers alike.
Significance of the Bear
Grizzly 122, estimated to be over 20 years old, is one of the largest and most dominant grizzlies in the park. The tracking collar provided valuable data on habitat use and migration patterns, crucial for conservation efforts.
Parks Canada is asking the public to report any sightings of the collar or the bear to assist in the investigation. The incident highlights the challenges of wildlife monitoring in remote areas.
