Two hikers are facing regulatory charges under the Canada National Parks Act following an encounter with a grizzly bear in Banff National Park where their off-leash dog barked at the animal. The incident occurred on the Taylor Lake trail, approximately nine miles southeast of Lake Louise.
According to reports, one of the hikers, Kraig Koski, initially encountered Bear 142, a known female grizzly in the park, while jogging ahead of his wife, Brook Koski. Brook recorded a video of the encounter as the bear followed Kraig, who was walking backward and carrying bear spray. During the roughly 90-second incident, their dog, Lola, ran between the hikers and the bear, barking at the grizzly.
Calls from the hikers for Lola to return were audible in the footage, but the dog was not leashed or secured by the owners. The bear eventually left the trail and entered the woods without any injuries to people or the animal. However, Parks Canada officials were able to identify the hikers after the video gained significant online attention.
Parks Canada spokesperson James Eastham stated that failure to keep pets leashed in national parks poses risks to both pets and wildlife. "Bears and other wildlife may react aggressively toward dogs they view as threats, resulting in their injury or death," Eastham said. He also noted that off-leash dogs can cause wildlife stress, leading them to avoid important habitats and food sources.
Under the Canada National Parks Act, pets in national parks are required to be secured on a leash no longer than three meters. If convicted, the hikers could face fines of up to $25,000. Wildlife experts have emphasized that keeping dogs leashed in bear country is crucial for the safety of the dog, the wildlife, and other park visitors.
Bear 142 is an approximately 16-year-old grizzly bear, known to be the daughter of Bear 122, also known as "The Boss." She has previously raised cubs in Banff National Park. Grizzly bears are classified as a threatened species in Alberta.