Two female grizzlies killed by trains in Banff National Park
The death of two female grizzly bears on the railway line in Banff National Park is a significant blow to the population, according to a Parks Canada ecologist.
The two bears were killed in separate incidents last month and reported to Parks Canada by Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
Saundi Stevens, the acting wildlife ecologist with Parks Canada's Lake Louise Yoho and Kootenay field unit, said one of deaths happened on the evening of May 27. The other happened in the early morning of May 30.
"The ecological significance of losing, especially breeding-age females, it just can't be overstated," Stevens said.
"They're particularly slow to reproduce. Yeah, that slow reproductive rate just means that grizzly bear populations can't quickly recover from the losses of these breeding females."
Parks Canada says the first incident involved a breeding female grizzly who was with a well-known male bear, known as Bear 122, or The Boss, at the time.
"Male 122 that was with that first bear, he was uninjured, but he's quite familiar with the tracks and his core home range is in the Bow Valley, so he's quite often in and around the train tracks," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
New campaign encourages B.C. to ‘squeal' on invasive pigs
WILLIAMS LAKE — British Columbia's Invasive Species Council says the province needs to get ahead of the potential risk of invasive pigs before they gain a foothold the way they have elsewhere in Canada. The council says the animals cause extensive damage to ecosystems, farmland, and infrastructure and can spread diseases. A new awareness campaign is encouraging British Columbians 'squeal' on pigs by reporting any feral pigs they spot. The campaign features pigs in places they shouldn't be — grocery stores, tractors, and kitchen cupboards — and asks people to act if they see any in real life. An alert posted by the provincial government says feral pigs have been reported in low numbers in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Thompson-Okanagan, Peace, Chilcotin and Kootenay Regions. It says many were released or escaped from farms but they 'have not yet established large populations in the province.' Gail Wallin, executive director of the Invasive Species Council of B.C., says the organization has seen the damage invasive pigs can cause in other provinces. 'That's why we've launched this campaign — to raise awareness and remind people that their observations matter. Whether you're on the land every day or out for a weekend hike, early reporting of pigs on the land makes all the difference,' she says. Wild boars not being raised as livestock are considered an invasive species in Alberta and are a provincially regulated 'agricultural pest.' The government of Alberta says the pigs can compete with wildlife and destroy other sensitive natural habitats. The Alberta Invasive Species Council says while there are no Canadian estimates, agricultural damage in the United States caused by wild boar at large is estimated to be $1.5 billion each year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Former Geary Street encampment site in Dartmouth, N.S., vacant, crews install fencing
A man is pictured holding an eviction notice outside of his tent at the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S. Three days after the deadline to official de-designate the Geary Street encampment site in Dartmouth, N.S., the area is now officially empty as crews put up fencing. The Halifax Regional Municipality de-designated the location on May 28. People living and sleeping in the area had until June 22 to find another place to stay. 'Currently, there are several available spaces within multiple provincial indoor shelters and temporary housing,' a news release from the municipality reads. 'As a result, the municipality directed that people sheltering at Geary Street green space vacate this location. Over the past three years, this site has consistently had fewer individuals sleeping rough and has also recorded the lowest usage among designated locations in recent months.' The municipality said three people were still sheltering at the site as of Wednesday morning. Municipal housing and homelessness staff helped them move to 'alternative locations' and the area is now vacant, according to the municipality. 'Due to the heavy use of the area as a designated location, it will need to be remediated,' the release reads. 'Now that it is vacant, it will be inspected and a plan will be developed to determine how long it will take to clean and remediate the space.' Last year the municipality de-designated the encampment site on University Avenue in Halifax. There are now four remaining sites: Green Road Park in Dartmouth the Barrington Street green space Cogswell Park Lower Flinn Park in Halifax The municipality says there are currently 48 tents and four trailers spread across these four sites, which were established in July 2022. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Late Metis elder from Saskatchewan honoured with Canada Post stamp
A Métis elder and Michif language keeper from Saskatchewan is being commemorated with a Canada Post stamp. Sophie McDougall, who passed away in 2023, was a teacher from St. Louis, dedicating her life to sharing her knowledge of cultures and language with others. 'She kept us all together,' said the honoree's daughter Peggy Parenteau at the June 17 stamp reveal. 'She taught us so many things. It's hard to believe that she's being honoured today. But she's well-deserved of it. She worked hard all her life.' McDougall was an elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association (PAMWA) for 20 years, and translated books and written materials into Michif, all while engaging in other projects to preserve the endangered language. 'Working with Sophie was such an honour,' said PAMWA Director Noreen McBride in a speech at the stamp reveal. 'She took immense pride in these books, which were beautifully illustrated by local youth, and she was proud to share them with young people throughout Prince Albert and beyond.' The stamp was issued June 20, alongside two other stamps honouring Indigenous leaders. 'These honorees are widely loved, respected and admired in their communities across the country,' said Tyler Thomas, Canada Post's director of Indigenous and northern affairs. 'The Métis National Council selected Sophie for the latest stamp.' McBride used her speech to share more about McDougall's character. 'She was a woman of strength. She was a woman of wisdom. And she was a woman to be remembered,' she said. 'Her legacy lives on through her family, and her contributions to our language.'
