Don't mess with "The Boss": a photographer's encounter with Banff's toughest grizzly bear

A bear nicknamed "The Boss" has gained fame for being the biggest, baddest grizzly in Alberta's Bow Valley.
Also known as Bear No. 122, the furry creature is increasingly rare to see as it gets older and hibernation season approaches.
Heather Yourex-West explains how "The Boss" earned that reputation, and how a photographer stumbled upon the animal twice in the same day.
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[@omr9883]

Eats a black bear, survives a train hit and father to 70% of cubs in the area... lol He is the Boss indeed.

[@em34ev3r]

Probably fought off multiple wolf packs as well.

[@alphabogeyman7462]

Eating a black bear!,humans need to stay away from this guy.

[@dishansolanki7498]

Dude is deadly. Truly the grandad of the bears in Banff.

[@SweetSpot909]

giga Chad

[@soom878]

well to be fair, black bear is maybe even half the size of him, so this really was no fight, but im actually astonished that bears eat bears, thats a bit disgusting.

[@StamfordBridge]

He survived being hit by a train. The train had to be put down.

[@gkniffen]

😂

[@davrogrz4542]

Definitely one of the strongest bloodlines, fathered over 70% of his area and pushing over 20yrs old. Boss is definitely a beauty and looks healthy enough for at least another five yrs. ❤️❤️❤️🐻❤️❤️❤️

[@sadhnasc4416]

I pray for even more years for him

[@daveg385]

Well he dont smoke drink nor chew so he jst might

[@DagestanderGustaffuson]

Grizzlies are not as intimidating how everyone likes to think. I’ve seen mother mooses chase them off, small dogs, and even 170 pound pumas. Polar bears are what you need to watch out for, they are 100% carnivores and can track your sent from 32KGs or 20 miles away and are almost always hungry.

[@DWBI3735]

@@DagestanderGustaffuson watch out we gotta tough guy over here

[@em34ev3r]

@@DagestanderGustaffuson oh lord, nice steal from a joe Rohan podcast

[@North-of-the-49th]

Boss is THE bear. Respect to this incredible and majestic fluff-ball. 🐻

[@21LAZgoo]

YESSIR.

[@21LAZgoo]

@@NikolaJokerMVP15 yeah bruh russians built like bears too ngl

[@r.saluni]

Yes, absolute beast

[@V0YAG3R]

no

[@ErickMaciasJuarez]

Respect is that you stop calling him a fluff ball. Or tell it to his face

[@pablogalvz]

Dude's a legend... some say he also trained Chuck Norris back in the day.

[@nancycosta2448]

So funny.

[@OnFight1997]

Legends say when you get within a radius, boss music starts playing.

[@kevinmanning4880]

Make those pics into t-shirts and send the proceeds to protecting wildlife management of Grizzly bears and habitats. Plus put a write up on the back of the shirt why he is the Boss of Banff.

[@niconiconick]

Pretty good idea

[@rhondaeverett8284]

Excellent idea

[@davidhughes6048]

I like it!

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

That's a great idea!

[@tess4-2]

Your photography is as admirable as the respect you extend to this bear. There is an especially magnificent full shot of the The Boss on the wall behind you. I truly hope there is a place the public can view many of your works.

[@huskeyfosterfail4980]

Thank you for sharing images of the Boss worldwide. I feel lucky to get to witness this because of your photography!

[@gto69]

Thanks 💯

[@noreenhewson6933]

Had the good fortune of seeing the Boss, just past the Banff train station. Kudos to Parcs Canada, whose Rangers kept the twit tourists from getting to close!

[@jdog2345]

This photographer has obviously taken beautiful photos and respects nature as it should be.

[@Stilez]

One summer he was spotted out back from where I live in Banff, sitting in a field where they were playing Rugby not too far away. A true Living Legend

[@Moe_Posting_Chad]

Literally the spirit of the area incarnated. Very special times we're living in, aren't they?

[@annieann6347]

He's beautiful I hope he has many more years to live a safe and healthy life.

[@bessiemann7468]

He's healthy and beautiful He has a strong blood line for sure. Love the phot of him looking at the camera

[@yamyamyams2629]

You've lived a long good life old man.

[@Amaru722]

Can you say that to his victims too😂😂😂

[@LOLLYPOPPE]

@@Amaru722 screw em, I only like the winners

[@Alex-js5lg]

Jason is an incredible photographer, and The Boss is a magnificent beast!

[@tposeinify]

My hubby my little dog and I all came face to face with with him once and we froze and he couldn’t be less concerned about us! But pretty sure he just taken out 2 brown bears the week before 😳

[@bp341]

@@Jessica-to8um I feel the same way. My family had a fishing lodge in Northern Canada and have had encounters with many of our apex Predators, pack of wolves, cougars, NP never once felt any negative vibe but even when a bear is actually on the no aggressive side, docile even, one tiny insignificant thing can send them off

[@bearknuckles100]

@@bp341 yeah ok Timothy Treadwell. They are a apex predator and if they want meat they will eat you. End of story.

[@alan4sure]

Brown bears? I see someone stretching a story...

[@brian6101]

Unlikely considering he’s a brown bear himself

[@patticake4566]

What a fabulous treat! Excellent work! Very respectful.

[@Whistlewalk]

Gorgeous bear! And totally in his element.

[@21LAZgoo]

@@heidiscott9226 both the ice age megafauna and the dinosaurs have something in common

[@21LAZgoo]

@@heidiscott9226 both got wiped out by the same type of event

[@21LAZgoo]

@@heidiscott9226 big rock

[@nicherman6759]

What’s crazy is he most likely fought his kids 70% are his kids and he probably has fought at least 2% of them, crazy

[@Fenthule]

probably closer to 10% lol

[@alan4sure]

Family feud😁

[@HdHd-cg4nz]

Probably tried to kill 50% of them as cubs protecting his territory.

[@rontauranac]

He certainly also met his daugthers.

[@prowlerrrr]

@@rontauranac what do you mean

[@martineinfrance]

His Majesty🐻😍 respects! Awesome creature. 👏👍❤️

[@matttravers5764]

I bet he's smart enough to avoid another train hit too. Growing up we had a German shepherd that survived being hit by a car and he never went near the road again.

[@kooskoos8181]

Excellent photos n video. Great work!

[@tempellem]

Thank you to the nature photographer, I can see the pretty face of this legendary bear. ❤

[@JoannaLammonds-qs9lh]

A majestic and beautiful animal.

[@AndrewBrethourMusic]

Stunning photographs of a gorgeous bear

[@bcatblues725]

What a gorgeous, ginormous bear. I’m glad he’s well loved.

[@mtnwriter4011]

What a beautiful creature of nature... and the mutual respect between man and bear is (once again) so important. To simply view him (and take photos) is such a treat.

[@martingaspati8696]

He’s getting up there in age. Hopefully he can live more years to come. The boss of bow-valley and beyond.

[@ARTWV]

Fathered 70% of the cubs. The Boss is living a great life. 🐻

[@debmalouin9880]

What a Majestic animal Beautiful photos....

[@maggieb369]

What a majestic creature!

[@rennierad]

What a gorgeous beast. ❤💕

[@missf4681]

He's wonderful ❤️

[@dollworld3256]

Bet he got shivers seeing such beauty

[@jessicadorion8507]

I've had run ins with bears in the forest but if I bumped into one of that size I'd likely faint. Lol

[@darrin2053]

Gorgeous animal 🐻

[@SloopeyC]

Respect to The Boss. Absolute legend!

[@karot4348]

Beautiful animal!

[@SillyBillies1]

Until it kills you

[@victoriaannebasham6051]

What an amazing creature. God I love bears. Such presence.

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie3]

Dominant male boars (bears, not pigs!) have a certain swagger to them, much like big elephant bulls do. What great photos of a legendary bear! He is a beauty. 😍

[@kwest5171]

Amazing photos!

[@rossmontreal4570]

Even if he’s in his car, unless he’s already rolling there’s no safety inside if the Boss wants him!! 😳😳

[@johnlai4129]

Beautiful Bear he is indeed The Boss!

[@christhvedt5071]

From the "Safety" of his own car. He's lucky The Boss allowed this photoshoot to happen 🤣

[@chltmdwp]

I am always amazed how photographers take photos and it looks alive.

[@sharonlefebure3892]

His eyes in that picture say it all.

[@maywarda480]

Beautiful creature and awesome pictures!

[@karissad7382]

Looks like someone found their spirit animal~ Beautiful :) ~~~~~>💓°•○☆💕

[@MrBonners]

He has been spotted in Yoho, Banff, and Jasper parks many times.

[@solitarybell2836]

That boy is massive!!

[@jhunter2662]

hey boss- you dont know about other countries but im in australia and i think your awesome. From my daughter

[@prowlerrrr]

cute

[@Time4destinychannel]

🤩 stunning boss!

[@keithdrummond1003]

Truly majestic

[@mdh6977]

Beautiful!! And remember to use your telephoto lens kiddies, you don't want to get to close, lol

[@IsraelonFoot]

Majestic

[@raider7829]

The close up picture of b his face is so beautiful!! He's perfect... through my device. 😅

[@faverogibou6773]

He's gorgeous , I hope I'll live still few years more !!

[@marvalousmarvin9234]

"From the safety of his car"? There are lots of videos in YT of bears ripping the doors off of cars just to get a bag of potato chips.

[@rhondaeverett8284]

I think they meant the oh shithood of car

[@writerconsidered]

The safety of a car is being in it and able to drive away before the bear makes contact.

[@marvalousmarvin9234]

@@writerconsidered You're making several assumptions.

[@writerconsidered]

@@marvalousmarvin9234 Yes I'm assuming the car will start and he can drive away.

[@Rottimail]

That is an amazing photograph!

[@fluffytail6355]

I hope he lives many more years ❤

[@mars27970]

Absolutely Magnificent Wild Child! God Bless Him!

[@westyjah]

Truly amazing.

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Beautiful animal! He is huge!!!

[@jed52]

The Boss is probably the most appropriate name for his reputation.

[@PenelopePitstop888]

What a massive & magnificent beast❣

[@MichalOlender]

That teddy bear looks surreal!

[@TheINFJChannel]

Wow the Boss is sooooo beautiful. ❤️

[@dianemardis8964]

So beautiful ! The boss . So big and healthy

[@richardthiele8363]

Knowing that the cameraman never dies I followed the bear around the wilderness and set up my tripod. 😅

[@MegaLivingIt]

Look at that big baby! 😀🧡🌿

[@evelyneparisien8483]

The Boss is a beautiful bear for sure.

[@vasili-zaitsev]

The cover photo for this video looks likes the bear is just trying to take a stinkin fat one, and is tired of the photos 😂

[@Fenthule]

I'm like 95% certain I saw this bear once about 9ish years ago when I lived in Banff. I was out on a hike a bit west of town, and I was watching a herd of caribou in a meadow a bit below me, probably about 600m or so away. Suddenly a few of them poked their heads up on a swivel for a few seconds then bolted, causing the whole herd to take off. About a minute later this hulking beast of a bear walked out from the taller grass near the treeline across the meadow and started heading towards a small pond there. This would have been in the first week of October, so I imagine he was bulking up before his hibernation, but boy was I glad to be upwind of him. I didn't stick around long - didn't have a camera that could get a shot from that distance and I didn't want to risk being bear food lol, back to town I went.

[@alan4sure]

West of Banff? And you saw Caribou! Lol I doubt there's been a caribou in that area of Banff Park for 75 yrs. Maybe elk, but not caribou, pal. A small number still exist in Jasper Park, 100's of km north of Banff. Good story--- but highly suspect.

[@Fenthule]

@@alan4sure yeah it was Elk, I dunno what possessed me to say Caribou lmao lapse in brain power momentarily I'd say. or maybe what was a bad brain fog day for me, regardless other than the caribou thing everything else was legit. probably about 8km or so out of town near Vermillion lakes (I had been hiking along Vermillion lakes road just south of the highway)

[@alan4sure]

@@Fenthule mighta been him...there's another big griz in Banff called split lip. Dunno why though😆😆😆

[@bearknuckles100]

@@alan4sure about 1981-82 a huge dark colored Grizzly terrorized Banff. He lived in the bushes behind Phils Restaurant. Some poor guys stumbled upon him near the stream that leads to Vermillion Lake...where the canoe rentals used to be. One was killed, face torn off, other badly mauled. Later the same bear tore a guy apart who ran from police into the forest, only to come running back out ripped to pieces. He had stolen a car out east of town. Maybe this is the boss grandpa

[@alan4sure]

@@bearknuckles100 lol maybe! I remember that incident. Sid Marty told about it in his book I think.

[@Norwegian733]

Unfortunately, the train did not survive the hit on the Boss. It had to be laid to rest the same day 🙂

[@dwightschrute706]

Long live The Boss 🙏❤️❤️

[@jamesmcintyre1675]

He’s Beautiful 🤩

[@predamorfhunter]

Can you feel my heart starts playing 😂

[@White_Wrath]

What a badass bear.

[@dalegribble60]

"From the safety of his car".....dang straight!

[@Victoria-OneLove4AllPeople]

Great Content 💯

[@federicobejarano3043]

The Boss is literally me

[@joharper284]

Beautiful 🐻❤

[@KFrost-fx7dt]

It looks exactly like this old guy used to work with. He was close to retirement and so damn grouchy LOL.

[@lucasferreira2073]

And people think a Siberian Tiger can even have a snowball chance of beating this type of bear, that's beyond hilarious, that's like a Beetle trying to pull a car

[@johns7530]

Siberian tigers can weight up to 900 lbs supposedly, grizzlies up to 700. I mean it would take a damn big tiger to kill a bear that big, but very possible if not likely. That's no disrespect to how awesome and strong a huge bear is, but big tigers are ferocious animals. If they are the same size, I'll go with the tiger.

[@lucasferreira2073]

@@johns7530 Nope, your entire Data is wrong. Bears specially the bigger ones like Kodiak Bears can reach 1200 pounds. No Siberian Tiger or any Tiger at all actually hit 900 pound on the wild, only captivity. Even 650 pounds Tigers are rarely seem. Bears can easily pass 1000 pounds. You must live in a different planet with that kind of Data.

[@barbaravyse660]

Wow what a beautiful bear 🐻. Why do they look so cute and cuddly when they’re dangerous?

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

We'd go to the "cafeteria wet dump" on Windfall, Alberta in the evening to watch the bears feed. Then about sunset all the bears would leave, usually more than fifty. THEN the Big Boy would walk in and have the place to himself. He was at least 40% larger than the SECOND largest bear. Then we kids would play in the dry dump for the pipeline, light fires, dump stuff, the kinds of things you'd get arrested for in the big city. Good time, Windfall.

[@feliciacoffey6832]

Great stories!!

[@ashleyhansen6150]

Dude took on a train....yeah he's The Boss.

[@nephilimshammer9567]

He enjoys grain on tracks. He even enjoys eating it while crews work near him he's a cool Cat

[@Dragonslice29]

Little does this bear know of his esteem on the internet

[@petertrout7866]

He’s not a boss he’s a player.

[@hueyhefner1407]

Such an amazing creature.

[@phillippage8127]

The narrator says "From the safety of his car." 😂

[@mariap.5368]

He's a beauty 😍

[@RipVanWnkle]

"From the safety of his car" lol

[@codyestes6596]

The bear got that dawg in him

[@fredericklockard3854]

“From the safety of his car”. The Boss - mmmmm it’s a tamale.

[@zjoeyplummer3098]

Absolute unit

[@S3MTX]

Always comfortable to know I will be treated as a criminal for having a tool to defend myself against such threats

[@annalisavajda252]

How is the bear a threat unless you are out stalking him? He stays in his own area eating berries and fish etc. You would be the threat and that's why he has claws and teeth.

[@S3MTX]

@@annalisavajda252 population control

[@averycheesypotato]

@@S3MTX An old bear who has never caused trouble for humans, but is a survivor & successful hunter, is exactly the kind of animal you want to live on. If you genuinely thought that there were too many bears around, or that the local population was causing trouble for humans, you’d be looking to take out the younger bears who are trying to expand their range. When you take out the matriarchs & patriarchs of a population, you destabilize the hierarchy. Old giants keep balance. That goes for many, many different species. You’re not arguing in favour of self-defence, or population control. You want a gun for a toy, to play with & claim trophies with. You’re impressing no one.

[@bearknuckles100]

@@averycheesypotato How do you know that? How do you know if that bear hasn't filled his guts with human flesh? Some poor hitchhiker dragged into the bush and eaten? You don't know. Remember your words when the boss takes out a weak human and eats them. Then you can blame the human. The boss is a grizzly bear that will kill and eat you if he wishes to. You wonder why the photographer too pics from the "safety of his car"

[@averycheesypotato]

@@bearknuckles100 Literally a famous animal who has been observed throughout his life by people. Bear attacks on humans make headlines, are followed up by investigations & hunts for the animal involved. So no, Boss isn’t secretly snacking on hikers

[@user-hx2rr8um2s]

Boss is the bear here.