Doug Inglis and Jenny Gusse, both 62, died in a grizzly bear attack in Banff National Park, Canada, after sending a final desperate message via their GPS device. The couple, experienced campers and hikers, had taken every possible precaution to protect themselves from bear encounters.
Final Message and Discovery
In 2023, the couple sent a chilling message to Doug's uncle, Colin Inglis, which read simply: "Bear attack bad." Colin immediately contacted Parks Canada, who arrived at 1am and found the bodies of Doug and Jenny lying close together, alongside their dog, Tris.
Rescuers found a bear-proof food bag suspended from a tree and a spent can of bear spray at the campsite, suggesting the couple had fought back. They had also pitched their camp in an area with no previously reported bear sightings.
The Bear and Investigation
Near the site where the bodies were discovered, investigators located an elderly female grizzly bear, estimated to be around 25 years of age. The bear launched an attack on the team and was subsequently shot and killed.
A post-mortem examination revealed the animal had lower than normal body fat for the time of year and was suffering from poor dental health.
Tributes and Context
Colin Inglis paid tribute to the couple, saying: "They are a couple that loved each other and loved the outdoors. And they were highly, highly experienced in being out back, whether it be serious treks or canoeing, whitewater canoeing in the North country."
He added: "I was hiking in Waterton with Doug in June and we were looking forward to many more adventures. As were lots of his friends. One of his friends told me one of the things they were looking forward to was taking their son out with Doug because he was so knowledgeable. And Jenny ... she was the botanist. She could identify all these wonderful plants that were out there, this berry or this flower. And so that's the kind of love they had for the environment that they were out in."
Bear specialist Kim Titchener, who counted Doug and Jenny among her friends, described the pair as "great humans." She noted that Banff National Park was home to approximately 60 grizzly bears and, while fatal attacks remained uncommon, sightings were growing increasingly frequent as greater numbers of people ventured into the wilderness.
Parks Canada also emphasised that fatal grizzly bear attacks were exceptionally rare, stating: "Over the last 10 years, there have been three recorded non-fatal, contact encounters with grizzly bears in Banff National Park."
