In Banff, a Grizzly Bear Known as ‘the Boss’ Rules the National Park

To the scientists and wardens of Banff National Park he is grizzly bear 122. But to everyone who lives in or near Canada’s oldest national park, and many of its 4.5 million annual visitors, he is the Boss. He has been struck by a freight train without apparent ill effect. He has shrugged off being hit by cars.

Scientists have confirmed that he killed and snacked on a black bear at least once, and he is believed to have fathered many, if not most, of the bears in his 2,000-square-kilometer territory. Most of all, the Boss has become Canada’s 700-pound celebrity bear king. When he strolls along the Trans-Canada Highway looking for dandelions, “bear jams” swiftly follow. His battles with a rival bear known as Split Lip are legendary.

(He caused the split lip.) His annual awakening from hibernation, usually in March, is reported by news outlets across Alberta. Galleries in Banff and neighboring Canmore ship giant photos of him worldwide. His image appears on fridge magnets, T-shirts and tote bags.