Parks Canada Officials Heartbroken to Announce Passing of Nakoda, the White Grizzly

Parks Canada officials have confirmed the passing of Nakoda, the beloved white grizzly known as Bear 178, in Yoho National Park, southeastern B.C. Initially hopeful that Nakoda would recover from injuries sustained in a car crash, officials are now mourning her loss.

On the evening of June 6, wildlife management staff were repairing fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 12 kilometres west of Lake Louise. They attempted to encourage Nakoda to stay away from the roadside, according to a statement from Parks Canada.

However, Nakoda was startled by a passing train, causing her to flee onto the road, where she was struck by a vehicle. While one vehicle managed to swerve and avoid her, another vehicle was unable to react in time and hit the bear, a Parks Canada spokesperson reported.

This tragic event occurred roughly 12 hours after Nakoda’s two cubs were struck and killed on the highway earlier that morning.

Known for her agility, striking platinum blond fur with a distinctive dark stripe along her back, and frequent roadside sightings during spring and early summer, Nakoda was a beloved figure in the area.

After the collision, wildlife managers observed Nakoda climbing a fence and running into the woods with a slight limp. On Saturday, June 8, Nakoda’s GPS collar emitted a mortality signal, indicating it had been stationary for 24 hours. The wildlife management team subsequently confirmed her death, suspecting she had succumbed to internal injuries from the collision.