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The information below is a compilation of bear information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last week. It is not intended to be used as a real-time, complete record of where bears are in the valley.
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (Nov.7-14, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There have only been a few sightings of bears in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country this past week, and GPS data is showing that most collared grizzly bears have gone into their dens or remain at or near their den sites. That being said, there are still a few grizzly bears out and about on the landscape searching for last minute calories, and a black bear was euthanized in southwest Calgary last weekend after repeatedly accessing garbage, compost and fruit trees. Male bears often stay out of their dens longer and remote camera and collar data have shown that some males, like “The Boss”, like to stay out on the landscape into mid-December so we need to make sure we do not leave any attractants outside for bears to eat.
With this in mind, it is important that we don’t become complacent when heading out on the trails and that we are mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife! Remember to carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and use it if required. Bear spray is also effective against wildlife which are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk and should be carried along well-travelled trails in and around town.
Hunters need to be aware and cautious as they are intentionally quiet on the landscape and they should always be carrying bear spray. If you are recreating, please remain alert of your surroundings and avoid dead animals.
Large male grizzly bears such as this one are likely still out and about! Photo by Amar Athwal.
In the aftermath of the buzz of “The Boss” coming to Canmore, we want to emphazise a few very important points that came from the large grizzly bear wandering into Harvie Heights and Canmore:
The first call that residents should be making when they see a bear in their backyard or neighbourhood should be to report it to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. That first phone call should NOT be to Commercial Photographers who will flock to see the bear.
By reporting the bear, you are actually helping to keep that bear out of trouble by preventing it from learning bad behaviours that could get it killed. If you want to help save bears, report all sightings of bears in town!
The whole community has a responsibility in removing wildlife attractants to keep people and wildlife safe! It is crucial to make sure you do not have any attractants such as fruit (on trees and on the ground), garbage, pet food, bird feeders, compost, greasy bbqs and pumpkins on your property! You don't want to be responsible for drawing a bear like the Boss into town and getting him into trouble...not to mention the potential public safety concerns.
If you have a fruit tree, such as a crabapple (including ornamental crabapples), mountain ash or chokecherry - picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree, and in Canmore you can get cash back for removing fruit trees from your yard! There is still plenty of money remaining in the budget this year for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program so we urge you to consider removing your fruit tree now while the funds are available!
Elk frequently hang out on or along the busy trails in Canmore. Give them plenty of space and don’t try to sneak past them! Photo by Judy Cairns.
The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen all throughout town, which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep your pets on a leash.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
You can also submit your report using the Report-A-Poacher Online form or contact your local district Fish and Wildlife office.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Bear den locations may surprise you. When you think about a bear den, what comes to mind? A hollow tree? A cozy cave? How about a pile of abandoned tires? Or under your porch? Bears can den up in all those places and many more. Click here to find out more from our friends at BearWise.
May he rest in peace!
Some sad news to report as renowned local wildlife warrior and friend of WildSmart, Karsten Heuer, passed away last week and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
“We will remember Karsten when we see wildlife: when we see caribou, bison, wolves, and any of the other wildlife he gave a voice to. We will remember Karsten when we’re in wild places. We will remember Karsten because that wildlife, and those wild places - they are better off because of him.” - Gareth Thomson
A simple memorial service to celebrate Karsten’s life will take place at the Creekside Hall at the Seniors Centre in downtown Canmore on Saturday, November 16 from 3-6pm. All are welcome!
Connected: A Parks Canada Podcast is available on major podcast streaming platforms. This new educational tool that Parks Canada recently published, has one season with six episodes. Each episode is about a different species at risk in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, and features an interview with the specialists who work in the parks. The episode list includes the grizzly bear, westslope cutthroat trout, black swift, wolverine, whitebark pine, and little brown bat. CLICK HERE for more information and a list of episodes.
This week we are featuring the sixth and final episode about the Little Brown Bat - Description: Tune your ears to an ultrasonic frequency! Wildlife Ecologist Anne Forshner introduces us to the world of little brown bats. Discover how Parks Canada is learning more about the lives of these flying mammals, like where they like to roost. Ultimately, this knowledge will help us fight a deadly and looming threat—white nose syndrome.
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus). Photo credit Brock Fenton.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Younger male grizzly bears challenging ‘the Boss' legendary, dominant status.
‘The Boss’ reminds Canmore residents to remain bear aware.
Trap in place after black bear sightings in SW Calgary.
Black bear killed after feeding from garbage, compost bins in southwest Calgary.
‘Irresponsible’: Black bear in Whistler Village surrounded by people as TikTok video shows.
'Alarming' rise in bears raiding garbage prompts stern warning in Sooke, B.C.
47 bears killed in West Kelowna since 2016.
Banff's biggest grizzly bear 'The Boss' samples crab apples.
B.C. First Nation criticized for killing of twin grizzly bears in their territory.
I Suddenly Saw the Mama Grizzly Bear. Then She Rose up on Her Hind Legs.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
"BUSTING BEAR MYTHS" BY DEREK RYDER, WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR
Myth: By having my dog with me on a trail, I’m less likely to risk a bear attack.
Fact: Bears don’t like dogs. In truth, they don’t understand what a “dog” is. But they do understand canids, which is the family of animals dogs are in. Canids here are wolves, coyotes and foxes. Bears don’t like any of them. Wolves try to steal bear kills, and will predate young bears. Coyotes and foxes try to scavenge from bear kills. Bears don’t see canids as a good thing. They see wolves, dogs, and coyotes as threats.
If your dog lunges and barks at a bear, even on leash, that’s seen by the bear as aggression. Bears are big enough to believe – rightly so – that they’re the kings of the forest. If a canid is aggressive towards them, they’ll probably be aggressive back – which will be bad for your dog, and bad for you. Sure, it might scare the bear off, especially if there are a few of you and you look like a pack to a bear (bears don’t like packs of anything). If your dog turns and runs, that will trigger a pursuit reflex in a bear. Prey runs away. By running, your dog just identified itself as something worth chasing.
Dogs rarely make bear encounters better. Even on-leash, your dog is generally not going to be an asset in a bear encounter. It may actually turn an otherwise benign encounter into an attack situation. Plus, bear spray is a two-handed thing. How do you use two hands when one of them has a leash in it, attached to a dog?
Bears see wolves (pictured), dogs, and coyotes as threats. Photo credit: Yellowstone National Park Flickr.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Please ensure that your yards are free of ALL attractants so that bears do not find anything to eat and subsequently get into trouble! As a reminder, please do not put out bird feeders yet as they could potentially attract bears into your yard. In Canmore, bird feeders are not allowed to be used during bear season between April 1 and November 30.
Also, remember to pick up after your dogs as their feces can act as an attractant for wildlife. Doggy poop bags need to be disposed of properly in bear-proof bins, not left on or alongside the trails…see video below!
Here is a great short video about the Invasive Doggy Poop Bag!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We are excited about our 3rd Annual Square Dance Fundraiser happening tomorrow night (November 15) at the Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore! Tickets are almost sold out and we look forward to a night of boot-stompin' fun with you all! Tickets cost $45+processing fees. Enter Discount code CANMORE5 to save $5.
Doors open at 6:30pm and dancing begins at 7:30pm.
Silent auction, draw prizes and more! All profits go to supporting the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. All are welcome! We welcome young and old cowboys, cowgirls, and cowpals!
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 18 - Earth Talks: Let the Canary Talk: Climate Actions for a Greener Future
Join us with Kae Shummoogum, CEO of Gasonic Group and the Canary Climate Conversation Association, for "Let the Canary Talk: Climate Actions for a Greener Future".
Miners once brought Canaries into coal mines as a safety precaution. In this hands-on workshop, Kae will “let the Canary talk” sharing important concepts and strategies we can use to create a low carbon, resilient future for ourselves.
This FREE Earth Talks event will take place on Monday, November 18 in the Friends Program Room of the Canmore Public Library at 7:00pm. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
November 19 - Good Grief: Grieving Together
“We who are modern have privatized grief. In fact, grief is a perfectly normal and healthy response to the loss of that which we have loved; that which has enhanced our life and world.”
Join us for an evening for all who are grieving a loss. You are not alone. We are in this together. A community-led event at Ralph Connor Memorial United Church on Tuesday, Novembr 19, 2024 from 7-9pm. Hosted by Ralph Connor in cooperation with the Biosphere Institute.
Doors open at 6:30pm, Opening Ceremony at 7pm
Various activities from 7:30-9pm including quiet meditations in the sanctuary and a climate grief workshop led by the Biosphere Institute.
November 24 - Melodies for a Resilient Future: Jasper Benefit Concert
Join us for a fun evening of musical entertainment and engaging speakers from 7:30-10pm at artsPlace to raise funds for Jasper Wildfire relief. Click here for tickets.
Presented in partnership with Scott Diehl and Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, 100% of the evening's proceeds go to the Jasper Community Team Society to benefit Jasper fire victims.
Digital Hobo and Friends will provide fun and evocative live music. Songs about community, hope and adaptation during these days of rapidly changing climate. Enjoy new songs from the 2025 release Climate Stories.
Please remember BEARS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
Report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in Kananaskis Country or the Bow Valley to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403.591.7755