THIS is “The Boss” – the world’s toughest 600lb bear that’s survived being hit by a train twice and became king of the forest.
Visitors are urged to steer clear of the behemoth male grizzly – officially designated Bear 122 – who’s the largest bear prowling Banff National Park.
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The massive mammal is heavier than three grown men, roams the hills and woods near Banff, and is usually the first bear to emerge from hibernation.
He is estimated to be around 23 years old and is the biggest bear in the national park, hence his name “The Boss”.
And perhaps the most horrifying fact about 122, is that he is known to kill and cannibalise other smaller bears.
Believed to have killed and eaten several of his brethren, scientists believe he is a very rare example of predatory attacks between bears.
It was documented in 2013 when The Boss is thought to have killed and eaten a smaller rival in Sundance Canyon.
Steve Michel, a human wildlife conflict specialist with Banff National Park told The National Post: “It had been completely consumed.
“There was nothing remaining other than a skull, a hide, the four paws and some bones.”
He added: “It looks like that black bear just happened to find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when a very large grizzly bear came by.”
And the expert also said it would have likely been a “fairly quick fight” as The Boss was some five times larger than the 45lb black bear.
Mr Michel continued: “(The Boss) is definitely the dominant animal out on the landscape, so there are very few animals that would compare against him in terms of size.”
And just to add to his tough guy reputation, Bear 122 is also reported to have been hit by a train twice – and survived both times.
He is still known to cross railway lines in his in his 1,000 square mile territory being completely fearless despite his near miss.
But recently the beast-bear has learnt his lesson as he leaves the tracks when he hears the whistle blowing.
Experts have urged people to stay away from The Boss – just as they would any other bear – with there being various fatal bear attacks in North America over the years.
However, The Boss so far has not reported to have been aggressive to humans.
But he is known to viciously fight – and win – against other bears, including his biggest rival a 500lb grizzly called Split Lip.
Bear 122 also ventures into the nearby national parks of Yoho and Kootenay in his search for food and potential mates.
He is believed to have sired cubs across his vast home home range, with experts saying his life revolves around “food and mating”.
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Dan Rafla, a human-wildlife coexistence specialist with Parks Canada, told The Culture Trip: “He’s the boss of this landscape.
“He’s the most dominant male grizzly in the Bow Valley…and there’s nothing else in the food chain that could push him off.”
He added: “There are only a few grizzlies that big in the area, so people become more familiar with the bears they get to see more.
“He’s seen enough to be recognized.”
Mr Rafla added that animal observers in the park however are keen to discourage use of his nickname The Boss.
They fear it will build up his celebrity and could lead to dangerous encounters with tourists keen to get snaps of him.
Parks Canada ecologist Ryan Phinney said: “It has personalized him to the point people think it’s just part of the park experience to go see and meet him.”
He added: “With a name, it attaches all kinds of ideas and expectations to an animal, it can define it.
“We don’t want people to see these animals as celebrities because it minimizes them, their impact on the environment and their richness as animals.”
However, 122’s legend continue to grow – with his size and continued appearances around Banff boosting his reputation.
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