Banff’s Grizzly Bear Known as the Boss Rules the National Park—and Draws a Crowd
A bear with two names
Scientists and park wardens identify him as grizzly bear 122. People in and around Banff National Park, along with many of its 4.5 million annual visitors, call him the Boss.
The bear weighs 700 pounds and is known for his imposing presence. His yearly emergence from hibernation, usually in March, receives coverage from news outlets across Alberta.
Fame across the park
When the Boss searches for dandelions beside the Trans-Canada Highway, vehicles can gather in what locals call “bear jams.” His confrontations with a rival called Split Lip are also well known; the Boss caused the rival’s split lip. Images of the bear are sold as fridge magnets, T-shirts and tote bags. Galleries in Banff and nearby Canmore send large photographs around the world, and a local restaurant named for him features a scrap-metal sculpture in its main dining room.
Attention brings concern
The Boss’s fearsome appearance includes four-inch claws, but few bear experts consider him dangerous to park visitors or residents. Their concern is that the attention surrounding him has drawn many fans. Experts fear that the crowds connected to his celebrity could pose the greatest danger to his life and continued dominance.
Key points
- Grizzly bear 122 is better known to locals and visitors as the Boss.
- The 700-pound bear’s roadside appearances can lead to traffic jams.
- His image appears on souvenirs and in local businesses.
- Experts fear his celebrity and the crowds it draws may threaten him.