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Jason Leo Bantle witnessed first-hand the grizzly bear hierarchy in Banff.
He has been documenting Bear No. 122, better known as Boss, for a decade, during which time he has watched the notorious grizzly bear firmly establish itself as the Bow Valley's most notorious beast.
“Overall, over those 10 years, my experience with Boss was that the bear became more comfortable interacting with people, more comfortable in its landscape, and learned to navigate some pretty challenging situations,” he said.
Boss is believed to be around twenty-five years old, making him quite old by wild grizzly bear standards. It is estimated to weigh between 650 and 700 pounds.
As for the Bow Valley Bears, he has an impressive resume that includes survive being hit by a train and closed a popular trail in Banff when he was spotted eat a black bear there.
“He has over 2,500 square kilometers of home,” Bantle said. “This bear has a story and, well, he's a grandfather now. Can you imagine? He could sit down with his grandchildren and have conversations that would just awe us all.”
But while The Boss is still at the top of the Bow Valley bear hierarchy, he has some competition – mostly in the form of bear No. 136.
“The Shattered Lip is now in Boss territory,” Bantle said. “Seeing Broken Lip two or three years ago was a rare occurrence.”
Bantle remembers meeting “Broken Lip” last month, just days after seeing The Boss nearby. He said Split Lip has been seen more often in the Bow Valley in recent years.
“Myself and other people have a lot more experience with Split Lip in places where Boss was usually only seen,” Bantle said.
“It's telling that Split Lip is encroaching on The Boss's territory, and The Boss is having dominance battles with Split Lip, and those dominance battles may be going in Split Lip's favor sometimes now.”
It's a wildlife photographer's dream to see two of Banff's most famous grizzlies fight (from a safe distance, of course!).
Bantle said the recent facial scars he saw on “The Boss” are a sign he's facing competition.
“Some of these other bears are taking risks or thinking they can beat Boss, and they're willing to fight Boss and his defenses aren't as strong,” Bantle said.
If Boss starts avoiding fights he feels he has less chance of winning and starts giving away territory, it could signal to the female bears that he's no longer the best choice for mating, Bantle said, and that could make it difficult for him to remain the top guy in the Bow Valley.
“And he will gradually remain in his territory, but he will not have all the luxury that he had up to this point of being the dominant bear,” Bantle said.
Bears continue to be seen before hibernation
Recent photographs of Bantle's Split Lips on a snowy landscape are a reminder that some bears have not yet hibernated.
Nick de Ruyter, program director of the Biosphere Institute's WildSmart program, said that while most bears in the Bow Valley are entering hibernation season, some remain active and awake. already in the winter months.
Bear activity at this time of year depends on environmental factors including weather, temperature and food availability.
“Given how good the berry harvest is this summer, I think a lot of bears will go back to their dens fat, happy and healthy,” de Ruyter said.
But for now bearish activity appears to have decreased, de Ruyter said carrying bear spray year-round is the best way for hikers and skiers to stay safe if they encounter a bear or other predators such as wolves, coyotes and cougars.
