Rare white grizzly 'Nakoda' relocated away from Trans-Canada Highway
Officials with Parks Canada say they've relocated a rare white grizzly bear away from the Trans-Canada Highway and CP railway.
Wildlife staff captured and collared the well-known bear, nicknamed Nakoda by area residents, on June 21, at which time they were able to confirm it's a female.
The collar has GPS, which will help Parks Canada track and protect her.
Now that she's collared, her official designation is GBF178, or Bear 178.
Staff have since released her in an area within her home range but away from the dangers of the road and railway.
Officials say the actions were taken because she persisted in climbing the highway fencing and seeking out forage like dandelions on the wrong side of the fencing.
In a statement, James Eastham, a spokesperson for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field units, said the collar will help staff better anticipate when the grizzly will appear alongside the roadway.
"Parks Canada staff have been working hard to protect the white bear and will continue to encourage it to use safer habitat away from roads and the community of Lake Louise," said Eastham.
Nicknamed Nakoda, Parks Canada has given this white grizzly bear the official designation of GBF178, or Bear 178. (Parks Canada) The GPS collar will remain on the bear for a maximum of three years, before being remotely released.
As a backup to the timed drop-off mechanisms, the collar includes a section designed to decompose over time, causing the collar to fall off.
"Parks Canada takes the protection of wildlife very seriously and Parks Canada team members work hard to reduce human-caused wildlife mortality," said Eastham.
The same bear lost a sibling on June 7 when it was hit and killed. The bear's mother was hit and killed last year.
'SPLIT LIP' SUSPECTED TO HAVE KILLED 2 CUBS
Parks Canada believes two grizzly cubs were killed by an adult male grizzly this spring.
Eastham says Bear 142, a 12-year-old female grizzly, was seen in the Lake Louise area this spring with three cubs.
However, on June 22, Bear 136 – a male grizzly given the nickname Split Lip by locals – was seen chasing the cubs.
In subsequent days, Bear 142 was seen with only one cub, leading officials to suspect Split Lip killed two of the three young ones.
"Male grizzly bears are known to prey upon other bears including bear cubs," Eastham said. "While we regret the loss of any bear on the landscape, this is a natural occurrence and not uncommon behaviour."
Split Lip has preyed on the same grizzly's cubs previously.
In 2020, it killed a two-and-a-half-year-old cub near Morant’s Curve.
Officials are stressing that everyone has a role to play in keeping wildlife safe.
Drivers are ask not to stop if they see wildlife on the roadside, particularly along the Trans-Canada Highway, and to report wildlife incidents to Parks Canada Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.