Widely regarded as Banff National Park area’s largest grizzly bear, Bear No. 122 aka The Boss was spotted in the Canmore area loading up on crab apples. The Boss is in his mid-20s and the last time he was captured he weighed approximately 450 pounds. His current estimated weight is 600 pounds.
The Boss famously survived after getting hit by a train and is well known as the most dominant bear in and around the national park. His appearance in a residential area caught the attention of wildlife photographer Jason Leo Bantle who grabbed his camera and caught The Boss strolling backyards and feasting on crab apples.
One area resident cut down a beloved crab apple tree that was planted 40 years ago with her late husband after The Boss visited her backyard in search of food. The Boss returned looking for an easy meal but moved along once he realized the tree was gone. Fruit trees can be attractants to bears and homeowners should be mindful to pick fruit before it is fully ripe or consider removing the trees entirely to discourage bears from entering their properties.