A tragic incident unfolded last month at Banff National Park, where a couple and their beloved dog lost their lives in what seemed to be a grizzly bear attack. According to details released on the park’s official Facebook page, the incident surfaced after an inReach GPS device alerted authorities on September 29.
The alert originated from the Red Deer River Valley near the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, approximately 80 miles away from Calgary, Alberta. In response to the alert, Parks Canada rapidly deployed the Wildlife Human Attack Response Team to the area. By 1 a.m, they had arrived at the scene and discovered the lifeless bodies of the two hikers, along with their loyal canine companion.
During their investigation, the team encountered an aggressive grizzly bear that, out of public safety concerns, had to be euthanized. The victims were subsequently transferred to Thunder, Alberta. The identities of the couple currently remain undisclosed, according to a family member’s statement.
Described as ardent outdoor enthusiasts, the couple possessed a thorough understanding of bear safety protocols, diligently adhering to them. The exact circumstances leading to the tragic incident are yet to be definitively determined.
Kim Titchener, from the Alberta-based organization Bear Safety & More, suggested that the couple may have inadvertently startled the bear, noting that grizzly bear attacks are often defensive rather than predatory. She speculated that the couple might have been hiking during dusk, a time when bears are particularly active. Contradicting this theory, a relative of the couple mentioned that they sent a GPS alert at 5 p.m., indicating they had already settled for the night. This implies that they were neither traveling after dark nor setting up camp when the encounter took place.