Tag: grizzly bear

Grizzly bears are ‘awake and active’ in Banff National Park

A research animal identified as Bear 122 or “The Boss” is believed to have been the first grizzly bear spotted out of hibernation.

The first grizzly bear sighting of 2024 has been logged in Canada’s Banff National Park, according to social media reports.

The park on Thursday confirmed that “bears are awake and active” in the country’s oldest and most popular national park, located in Alberta’s  Rockies.

“To ensure the safety of wildlife and the public during this sensitive time of increased activity, area closures may be implemented as needed,” the park stated via Facebook.

Chateau Mountain Sports identified the grizzly bear involved in the first sighting as Bear 122, a.k.a. “The Boss.”

“The Boss is awake! Act busy,” the rental and retail company advised ts Instagram followers.

The park advised tourists to visit its bear safety page before visiting. The page contains advice on how to avoid encounters and how to react during every type of encounter.

A common theme: Stay calm and never run because running is likely to trigger an attack response.

Male grizzly bears are first to emerge from hibernation. They’re typically followed weeks later by female bears with cubs.

–Grizzly bear image courtesy of Banff National Park

Watch as giant grizzly bear executes perfect back scratch

Trail-cam footage from the Yukon Territory shows several bears expressing interest in the same pine tree.

A compilation of trail-cam footage from Canada’s Yukon Territory shows grizzly bears expressing specific interest in the same tree at various points in 2022.

The accompanying footage, shared Wednesday by Yukon Wildlife Cams, also shows moose on the same remote trail, including one that appears suspicious about the camera.

But on three occasions a grizzly bear is seen using the tree as a scratching post, which is how bears deposit their scents to communicate with other bears.

The most rigorous scratch occurs at 1:30, involving a large grizzly bear that spends several seconds executing its technique: standing on hind legs, clutching a branch for leverage, and rubbing deeply against the trunk.

The bear even sticks its tongue out at times, as if enjoying a sensation that anyone who loves a thorough back scratch can appreciate.

Yukon Wildlife Cams showcases the region’s wildlife with footage captured from several trail-cam locations.

One of our favorite clips involves a massive grizzly bear scent-marking a tree before charging in slow motion toward the camera, lending a unique perspective of what a grizzly bear charge in a person’s direction might look like.

Giant Yukon grizzly bear provides riveting trail-cam moment

A trail-cam operator in Canada’s Yukon Territory has shared several compelling grizzly bear video clips recently, but one stands out above the others.

Last week, a trail-cam operator shared video footage that revealed his “near encounters” with grizzly bears in Canada’s Yukon Territory.

This week, David Troup of Yukon Wildlife Cams shared footage showing a “marvelous” grizzly bear scent-marking a tree on which one of his cameras was attached.

It was reminiscent of perhaps Troup’s most compelling related footage: that of a massive grizzly bear back scratching, or scent-marking a tree before charging toward the camera.

The accompanying slow-motion footage, captured by Yukon Trail Cams in August 2021, lends a unique perspective of what a grizzly bear charge in your direction might look like.

Reads one of the more popular comments: “Can you imagine standing where the trail camera is?”

Another: “Remember, you only have to be faster than your hiking partner!”

Troup maintains a network of trail cameras in the Yukon and periodically shares footage to showcase the region’s wildlife.

Massive grizzly bear den site appears to be all about the view

Biologists searching for a dropped collar last fall discovered a massive grizzly bear den overlooking the vast Idaho wilderness.

Grizzly bears are preparing to hibernate and people might wonder what kind of process is involved in choosing a den site.

The question brings to mind a social-media post last fall by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, revealing a massive den site that boasted an expansive view of the forest and river.

“Ever wonder how a large male grizzly chooses a spot to dig a winter den? The view of course!” the agency’s Upper Snake River division joked via Facebook.

Officer Chris Johnson poses inside the den. Photo: IDFG

The den was discovered by biologist Jeremy Nicholson, who was searching for a dropped collar from a research bear.

The collar’s signal led Nicholson and two IDFG officers to a den excavated by a grizzly bear that weighed more than 600 pounds.

Officer Chris Johnson is pictured “enjoying the ample head room inside the bear’s den.”

Entrance to the grizzly bear’s den. Photo: IDFG

The bear was not in the den at the time and Nicholson and crew retrieved the collar without incident.

“Check out the spectacular view from the den and what it takes to excavate a den large enough to hold a grizzly bear,” the post concluded.

Grizzly bears can move up to a ton of earth to excavate dens comfortable enough to support them during the winter. They typically begin preparing for hibernation in mid- to late November.

Montana hunter kills grizzly bear near hibernation site

A Montana hunter has killed a grizzly bear in self-defense near where the animal had been digging a hibernation den.

A Montana hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear in apparent self-defense Saturday as the bruin charged the hunter.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the adult female grizzly bear, which had no history of conflict with humans, “appeared to be digging a den where the encounter took place.”

Grizzly bears are foraging in advance of hibernation and the hunter apparently surprised the animal. The incident occurred near Ennis in the Gravelly Range in Madison County.

Gravelly Range in Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release: “This time of year is when bears are active for longer periods as they prepare for hibernation.

“This period overlaps with hunting season and other fall recreation activities. Hunters should be aware that bears will remain active throughout the general [hunting] season.”

Grizzly bears are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act and can only be killed legally in cases of self-defense.

The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Search fails to locate grizzly bear responsible for Montana attack

A Montana field investigation following the Sept. 8 mauling of a man by a grizzly bear has failed to locate a dead or injured bear.

A Montana field investigation following the Sept. 8 mauling of a man by a grizzly bear has failed to locate the bear believed responsible for the attack.

Rudy Noorlander was seriously injured during the attack in the Madison Range south of Big Sky. He remains in critical but stable condition.

One of Noorlander’s companions fired at the bear moments after it attacked, causing the animal to flee.

KateLynn Noorlander, Rudy’s daughter, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for medical costs. She stated that her father was trying to help hunters locate a deer they had shot when the bear charged him during a surprise encounter.

“Rudy aimed his gun at the bear but his firearm misfired, making his best choice of defense his fists as he did not have any time to get his bear spray from his backpack,” KateLynn stated in the GoFundMe post.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks explained Wednesday in a news release that an aerial search failed to locate a dead or injured bear.

“FWP grizzly bear specialists and game wardens, as well deputies from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, revisited the attack site Tuesday,” FWP stated. “They searched the area near the attack site from the ground and with an infrared drone and didn’t locate a dead or wounded bear.

“However, they found signs of high bear activity, including the remains of a cached animal carcass, whitebark pine middens and bear scat. This evidence indicates the bear attacked defensively in a surprise, close encounter with the victim.”

The investigation has concluded but the area remains under an emergency closure implemented by the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Montana angler kills grizzly bear north of Yellowstone

A Montana angler shot and killed a grizzly bear Wednesday north of Yellowstone National Park in an apparent case of self-defense.

A Montana angler shot and killed a protected grizzly bear Wednesday in an apparent case of self-defense.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, two anglers surprised the adult male bear while hiking on private land along Tom Miner Creek north of Yellowstone National Park.

The bear charged both anglers in what Fish, Wildlife & Parks described as “defensive behavior” in close quarters. One angler shot and killed the bear.

The case is under investigation and further details were not provided.

The incident occurred four days after two hunters shot and killed a female grizzly bear in self-defense near the Montana town of Whitefish.

The men were scouting in advance of the fall hunting season for non-protected game when they surprised the bear. Both men opened fire and one was shot in the shoulder and required hospitalization.

The grizzly bear had a cub that ran off after the incident.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release that anyone venturing into bear country should make “localized noise” to alert bears and reduce the likelihood of surprise encounters.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Montana hunters kill grizzly bear during surprise encounter

Two men from Whitefish, Montana, shot and killed a grizzly bear Saturday in self-defense while scouting in advance of hunting season.

Two men from Whitefish, Montana, shot and killed a protected grizzly bear Saturday in self-defense while scouting in advance of the fall hunting season for other species.

One of the men was shot in the back shoulder during the chaotic encounter in the Whitefish Range. The man was treated at a nearby hospital.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stated in a news release that the men were in dense woods when they surprised a female grizzly bear with one cub. The adult bear charged and the men shot and killed the animal.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks explained that the bear’s behavior appeared to have been in defense of her cub. She did not have a history of conflict with humans.

The bear, tagged by researchers in 2009, was about 25 years old.

As of late Monday, FWP had not located the cub.

The agency determined after an investigation that the bear was shot in self-defense. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the findings.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of ©Pete Thomas

Problem grizzly bear relocated near Yellowstone National Park

An adult female grizzly bear has been relocated from an area outside Cody, Wyo., to remote wilderness near Yellowstone National Park.

An adult female grizzly bear has been relocated from an area northwest of Cody, Wyo., to remote wilderness near Yellowstone National Park.

The bear, which had been preying on livestock, was relocated Aug. 6 to the Five Mile Creek Drainage region about five miles from Yellowstone’s East Entrance.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department stated in a news release that the bear was moved “to reduce conflict potential” with humans.

It’s one of several grizzly bears relocated to Five Mile Creek Drainage in recent years.

Relocation is considered a management tool “to minimize the chance of future conflicts and maximize the relocated grizzly bear’s chance for survival,” the WGFD stated.

Grizzly bears that are deemed a threat to public safety are not relocated, but rather euthanized.

The Aug. 6 relocation was carried out after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

–Generic grizzly bear image courtesy of the National Park Service

Massive grizzly bear in for a shock during next back scratch

A massive grizzly bear that claimed a Montana storage shed as its personal scratching post has apparently been persuaded to stay away.

A giant grizzly bear that claimed a Montana storage shed as its personal scratching post has apparently been persuaded to keep away.

The male grizzly bear in the top image is shown scent-marking a shed that stands nearly 6 feet tall.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks explained Tuesday that the bear had been spotted on the same private property for years. It liked to mark the shed to communicate with other bears (note the giant paw print on the door).

Generator shed now protected by electric fence. Photo: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

FWP explained via Facebook:

“This generator shed contained no food attractants and was mostly empty. Bears are often curious about wood stains/oils/varnishes/shellacs and other outdoor treatments and will readily chew and rub on these treated woods.

“Once a scent post is created, other bears traveling in the area will rub in the same spot to make their presence known to other bears.”

Since this presented a danger to humans on and near the property, state biologists and the property owner teamed to construct an electric fence around the structure.

Bear markings on generator shed. Photo: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

FWP stated: “The need for an electric fence on this structure is to prevent bears from being accustomed to and comfortable with rubbing on human structures, which can lead to them becoming more conflict-prone.

“Proactive measures, such as this one, teach bears to avoid human structures keeping people safe and reducing the need for management removal of bears.”

FWP had previously use the the image as part of a Facebook quiz that asked  followers to guess whether this was a grizzly bear or black bear. But the answer was clear in the description’s wording:

“Here is a helpful hint: Grizzly bears are generally larger than black bears and may be bigger than a small shed. Also, they can be distinguished by longer, curved claws, humped shoulders, and a face that appears to be concave.”