Tragic Deaths for Rare White Grizzly Bear and Cubs in Canada

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In a heart-wrenching incident, a rare white grizzly bear and her two cubs met their end on a Canadian highway, stirring deep sorrow among wildlife conservationists. The grizzly, known as Nakoda, and her cubs were killed in separate vehicle collisions on June 6, along a road between Lake Louise and Yoho National Parks.

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Nakoda, identifiable by her unique platinum fur—a result of a recessive gene, not albinism—had become a well-known figure in the region.

Often spotted with her cubs foraging for dandelions along the highways, her distinct appearance drew considerable attention from both onlookers and social media users.

The tragic day began with Nakoda’s cubs venturing onto the highway through a breach in the wildlife fencing designed to protect animals from road hazards. Both cubs were struck by a vehicle and died.

Later that evening, Nakoda herself, startled by a nearby train, ran onto the road and was hit by a vehicle. Although she initially survived the impact, retreating into the woods with a limp, she succumbed to her injuries days later. Her GPS collar emitted a mortality signal, indicating she had not moved for over 24 hours, leading park staff to discover her lifeless body.

Nakoda’s loss is profoundly felt by the staff at Parks Canada, who had spent extensive time monitoring and protecting her and her family. “Just weeks ago, everyone in our office was actually celebrating her emergence from the den with two new cubs,” lamented Saundi Stevens, a wildlife management specialist.

In response to increasing wildlife-vehicle collisions, Parks Canada had previously relocated Nakoda due to her frequent presence near dangerous roadways and had installed electric wiring on some sections of wildlife fencing to deter animals from crossing. Despite efforts like establishing no-stopping zones and reducing speed limits in critical areas, the challenges of keeping wildlife safe from roadways remain daunting.

Experts highlight that habituation to human presence often leads to tragic outcomes for wildlife. The poignant story of Nakoda and her cubs underscores the ongoing conflict between wildlife habitats and human infrastructure, a pressing issue that calls for continued efforts in wildlife Conservation and road safety.

This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by One Green Planet on 15 June 2024. Image Credit :knelson20/Shutterstock.