A rare white grizzly has died after a hit-and-run on a Canadian highway

Officials believe Nakoda had gradually gotten used to people as she became famous on social media, which made her less cautious of people and roads. She often ventured near roads despite attempts by wildlife officials to keep her away. Team members who knew Nakoda as Bear 178 began tracking her in 2022 after she learned to climb a fence next to a road.

Since 2022, the wildlife team has caught Nakoda three times and removed it from roadsides. Also in 2022, Parks Canada introduced a no-stop zone and lowered the speed limit on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway to discourage people from slowing down to photograph her and other wildlife. Measures that ultimately proved insufficient.