Current:Home > BackGrizzly bear kills couple and their dog at Banff National Park in Canada-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Grizzly bear kills couple and their dog at Banff National Park in Canada
View Date:2024-12-23 22:22:57
A couple was killed by an "aggressive" grizzly bear in Canada's Banff National Park, park officials said Sunday, marking at least the second fatal grizzly attack in North America since July.
At about 8 p.m. on Friday, Parks Canada Dispatch in Banff National Park received an alert of a bear attack from a GPS device. The alert location originated from within Banff National Park, in the Red Deer River Valley, officials said in a news release.
A team specially trained in responding to wildlife attacks was mobilized. Unable to use a helicopter because of poor weather conditions, the team travelled through the night to reach the location by ground. Officials arrived on-site at about 1 a.m. and discovered two people who were already dead. While in the area, the team encountered and euthanized a grizzly bear "that displayed aggressive behavior," officials said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived on the scene at 5 a.m. and helped transport the victims to Sundre, Alberta.
Officials did not identify the victims but a family member told CBC News the people who died were a couple who were experienced backcountry hikers. The family member said the couple's dog was also killed in the attack.
"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," the family member told CBC News in a statement.
Kim Titchener, a friend of the family and the founder of Bear Safety and More, told Reuters that only 14% of grizzly bear attacks are fatal, but that human-bear encounters are increasing as more people head outdoors.
"It's really just the reason why we're seeing more attacks, which is more people heading outdoors and unfortunately not being educated on this," she said.
Last month, a grizzly bear that had fatally mauled a woman on a forest trail west of Yellowstone National Park in July was killed after it broke into a house near West Yellowstone.
Also in July, a 21-year-old woman who was planting trees was seriously injured by a bear in British Columbia, Canada. Officials could not locate the animal but believe it was a grizzly bear that attacked the woman. Earlier this month, a hunter in Montana was severely mauled by a grizzly.
Following the weekend attack at Banff National Park, officials closed an area around Red Deer and Panther valleys, Parks Canada said.
"This is a tragic incident, and Parks Canada wishes to express its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," officials said.
- In:
- Grizzly Bear
- Canada
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (7279)
Related
- California man allegedly shot couple and set their bodies, Teslas on fire in desert
- Chelsea Peretti on her starring role and directorial debut in First Time Female Director
- Iowa vs. Michigan: Caitlin Clark leads Hawkeyes to Big Ten tournament final
- Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and More Oscar Nominees at Their First Academy Awards
- TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
- 15 Best-Selling Products on Amazon That Will Help You Adjust to Daylight Savings
- Issa Rae's Hilarious Oscars 2024 Message Proves She's More Than Secure
- Mike Tyson back in the ring? Just saying those words is a win for 'Iron Mike' (and boxing)
- MLS Star Marco Angulo Dead at 22 One Month After Car Crash
- Oscars 2024: Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky Have an A-Thor-able Date Night
Ranking
- Megan Fox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby With Machine Gun Kelly
- Why Ryan Gosling Didn't Bring Eva Mendes as His Date to the 2024 Oscars
- New Jersey police officer wounded and man killed in exchange of gunfire, authorities say
- 2024 starting pitcher rankings: Spencer Strider, Gerrit Cole rule the mound
- Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
- Rescue effort launched to assist 3 people at New Hampshire’s Tuckerman Ravine ski area
- Emma Stone, America Ferrera and More Best Dressed at Oscars 2024
- Great Barrier Reef undergoing mass coral bleaching event for 5th time in nearly a decade
Recommendation
-
Why the US celebrates Veterans Day and how the holiday has changed over time
-
Walmart expands same-day delivery hours: You can get products as early as 6 a.m.
-
Oscars 2024: Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves Have a Stellar Date Night
-
Muslims welcome the holy month of Ramadan with a mix of joy and deep concern
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
-
Boeing says it can’t find work records related to door panel that blew out on Alaska Airlines flight
-
No. 1 South Carolina wins SEC Tournament over No. 8 LSU 79-72 in game marred by skirmish, ejections
-
Lawyer says Missouri man thought his mom was an intruder when he shot and killed her