Couple killed in grizzly bear attack in Canada's Banff National Park

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Americas

Couple killed in grizzly bear attack in Canada's Banff National Park

By Nivedita Balu
October 1, 2023 7:54 PM EDT • Updated 6 hours ago

TORONTO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - A grizzly bear attacked and killed two people and their dog in Alberta's Banff National Park, according to Canadian park officials and a friend of the victims.

Parks Canada said in a statement on Saturday night it had received an alert late Friday from a GPS device indicating a bear attack in the Red Deer River Valley west of Ya Ha Tinda Ranch in Banff National Park. ... The bear was later euthanized after it displayed aggressive behavior, the agency said.

The victims were a Canadian couple and their dog, according to Kim Titchener, the founder of Bear Safety and More and also a friend of the family. ... Titchener, who provides training on bear safety and bear assessments, said such encounters are increasing as more people head outdoors but fatal attacks are extremely rare.

"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 by telephone, adding that only 14% of grizzly bear attacks worldwide lead to fatalities.

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[Fullduplexxx]

1. Bear killed fir being a bear

[PJMcK]

3. It seems cruel, doesn't it?

Yet what's the alternative? Let the bear continue to roam to wilderness with a newfound taste for humans? Two people (and their dog) were killed by the bear.

This is a dilemma without a positive solution.

[czarjak]

2. Bear Safety Program?

[2naSalit]

7. There are such things...

I was a bear safety educator for a few years. Only a low percentage of people who head into bear habitat understand what they are taking on when they decide to go.

[Botany]

4. The couple was more than aware of "bear saftey" they were friends of the person who ran the program

what a shame .... for the bear and the people

[Wonder Why]

5. If this were Florida, the bear would have gotten off under the "Shoot Your Neighbor" law.

It would have been declared a hero if the dog was a black lab.

[Ziggysmom]

6. Wake up stupid people! This time of year bear are on a mission to eat as much as possible

before hibernation starts. Thanks to humans causing global warming, many berries, roots and vegetation bear would normally eat this time of year are in short supply.

So stay out of their territory and leave them be. We've done enough harm already.

[2naSalit]

8. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++!!!

They have NO patience for your desire to enjoy their habitat for whatever brief time your vacation allows. You are only visiting, they live there and right now, you're not necessarily invited.

[Ziggysmom]

9. Agree 1000%. I hate to see anyone hurt, and realize these people paid for their mistake

with their lives. But it was preventable.