Residents in Bow Valley were surprised when they heard that ‘The Boss’ was in town ahead of his concert in Calgary. However, it was not the famous rock star, but an adult male grizzly bear with the same name who decided to pay a visit. The bear made his way from Harvie Heights to Canmore, where he was spotted by Nick De Ruyter, program director with Wildsmart. Despite the bear’s presence, Ruyter mentioned that he did not show any signs of aggression and was simply going about his business. Howard Hepburn, another resident, also described the bear as a good one, although incidents can occur if people do not take proper precautions.
In order to avoid any potential trouble with the bear, residents were advised to avoid leaving out items that could attract the animal, such as pumpkins, pet food, greasy barbecues, garbage, and compost. De Ruyter emphasized the importance of the community taking responsibility for keeping the bears out of trouble by being mindful of the attractants that are within their control. Canmore’s protective services manager, Caitlin Miller, explained that the town has strict bylaws in place to prevent interactions between wildlife and residents. Bylaw officers are quick to act and issue fines for infractions such as having a dog off leash, fruit on trees, or feeding wildlife.
When wildlife officials receive reports of bears entering town, they follow a detailed set of protocols to ensure the safety of both the animals and the residents. These steps include closing off areas, removing attractants, and only resorting to trapping, moving, or euthanizing a bear as a last resort. Residents are encouraged to report any sightings of dangerous wildlife in the Bow Valley to Fish & Wildlife. The fines for infractions related to wildlife range from having a dog off leash to feeding wildlife, starting at one thousand dollars.
Overall, the presence of ‘The Boss,’ the grizzly bear, in Bow Valley served as a reminder for residents to be vigilant in preventing wildlife encounters in the area. By taking proactive measures to avoid attracting bears and other animals, the community can help ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. With strict bylaws in place and a set protocol for dealing with wildlife incidents, residents and officials work together to maintain a harmonious coexistence with the natural environment in Bow Valley. The incident also highlighted the importance of responsible wildlife management and the role that individuals play in creating a safe habitat for animals like ‘The Boss.’
