Grizzly bear attack claims two lives in Banff National Park

Two individuals tragically lost their lives in a grizzly bear attack that occurred in Banff National Park, situated in central Alberta's Sundre region. According to a report by CBC News, the incident unfolded on Friday night and was confirmed by Parks Canada.

The victims, who were common-law partners, were accompanied by their dog during the fateful encounter, which also resulted in the canine's demise. A family member of one of the deceased described the pair as avid outdoors enthusiasts, saying, "They were long-term partners who loved the outdoors and were inseparable. They lived for being in the backcountry and were two of the most cautious people I know. They knew bear protocol and followed it to a tee."

Natalie Fay, the external relations manager for the Banff field unit, disclosed that Parks Canada received an alert from a GPS device situated in the Red Deer River Valley, west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, around 8 pm on the ill-fated Friday. This alert indicated a bear attack, as reported by CBC News. Subsequently, a team specifically trained in responding to wildlife attacks was dispatched. However, adverse weather conditions hampered their rapid response.


Fay stated, "Weather conditions at the time did not allow for helicopter use, and the response team traveled through the night to the location by ground." It wasn't until 1 a.m. that the response team reached the site and discovered the lifeless bodies of the two individuals.

During the response, the team encountered a grizzly bear displaying aggressive behavior, necessitating the bear's on-site destruction for public safety, as per CBC News.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the scene at 5 am to transfer the victims to Sundre. In a statement, Parks Canada expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims, acknowledging the tragic nature of the incident.