Did you know that WildSmart is a program of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors. If you would like to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence, please donate!
The information below is based upon 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 (May 29, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
This week there have been many sightings of both grizzly and black bears throughout the Bow Valley, including near residential areas, and in Kananaskis Country. There have also been almost daily reports of multiple bears on the golf courses in and around Canmore and K-Country; even golfers should be carrying bear spray, giving wildlife space and making sure they do NOT leave any food and attractants unattended in their golf carts!
The big male bears are out and about, and several family groups of bears have been spotted regularly in the Bow Valley and K-Country, so be extra vigilant and respect these bears by giving them plenty of room to feed undisturbed. Giving bears and wildlife space includes slowing down (not stopping) when driving past bears feeding along the roadside and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures. Many people are NOT giving them space and are causing bear jams. Mothers with cubs have a limit on their tolerance and may charge at people who get too close. If you like bears and want to keep them safe - give them lots of space, at least 100m, even while in your car!
On the Trail: Avoid surprise encounters by making lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to give them time to move off of the trail. People should always be prepared to encounter bears throughout the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys. If you know of or have heard of bear activity in a given area, please consider recreating elsewhere!
Black bear in a Bow Valley backyard!
Aggressive mother elk charging at people getting too close to their calves are being encountered daily in Canmore! Elk Calving Season runs from May-June and people need to be extra vigilant of mother elk that will be hiding their calves in dense vegetation near parks, fields and trails. Mother elk can become very defensive and will aggressively protect their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. Never approach elk for any reason and always give them a very wide safety margin! The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away (three school bus lengths), and NEVER TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM!
One elk, likely a female with a calf, trampled and killed a dog in Canmore last Sunday. This serves as an important reminder to always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it, and keep your pets on a leash and under control at all times. Bear spray should be carried while recreating on the local trails in and around Canmore! When walking with dogs, stay well clear of all elk (we recommend over 100m) and leave the area immediately. As per this recent article, mother elk will charge at dogs from a distance, even when on leash, in order to protect their offspring.
IMPORTANT: Do not touch or remove young calves if they are found in the woods! Newborns will spend much of their time alone in their early days and will appear lifeless in order to avoid detection by predators. Their mother is not far away. The presence of newborn calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
An Elk Warning has been issued for the Grotto Mountain Trails east of Cougar Creek in Canmore due to Cow Elk Calving.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
A reminder to please report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in the Bow Valley or K-Country to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. In Banff, call Dispatch at 403.762.1470. They prefer to get the reports first hand from the people who actually see the wildlife!
Bears and other animals like elk, deer and sheep are found feeding on green grass and dandelions along roads, highways and trails. Roadside vegetation is some of the first to green up at this time of the year and fulfills important habitat needs for these animals. This results in a higher risk for vehicle collisions with wildlife. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop. Always stay in your vehicle! Give bears at least 100m of space at all times! The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
Black bear feeding roadside and trackside!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back with some important reminders about Elk Calving season!
WEEKLY WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WHEREABOUTS
In case you have not seen them yet, our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors have been heading out onto trails and trailheads! You can find them talking to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute. This weekend they will be at:
May 31 - Share the Trails in Cougar Creek Parking Lot & the Canmore Engine Bridge.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Is your bird feeder still up? Bears are excellent climbers and will follow their noses for an easy meal like bird feed! Please help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeder down (that includes hummingbird feeders) and cleaning up the ground underneath. The Town of Canmore Community Standards Bylaw only allows bird feeders to be hung from December 1 to March 31. Click here for details.
Fruit trees attract bears into our neighbourhoods which puts people and wildlife at risk. Bears accessing fruit trees is the one of the main causes of bears needing to be relocated or killed in the Bow Valley. The Town of Canmore is once again offering their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program this year to cover 100% of costs of removal (up to $500 per property). This program is offered to reduce the financial barriers to remove fruit trees and make Canmore safer for people and wildlife. Don't wait for the fruit to start growing, remove them early. Click here for details and how to apply. Applications are open while funds are available.
Bears will go to great lengths to eat the bird seed!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
WildSmart was on Global TV Calgary this morning to talk about bears and elk calving season.
Bear encounter on highway sparks anger in Whistler, B.C.
Bow Valley kids removing buffaloberry bushes to keep bears away from G7.
Improper trash storage drives bear encounters in Alberta.
Woman bitten by black bear in Anmore, B.C.
Northern B.C. researchers want your help finding and collecting bear poop.
Vancouver Island photographer records grizzly bear cubs play-fighting.
Two people injured in bear attack in Timmins, Ont.
Bear chases elk in front of stunned tourists in Yellowstone National Park.
Team dresses up as bears to rehabilitate bear cub in San Diego.
Aggressive black bear killed in Britannia Beach for public safety.
Grizzly bear sighting on B.C. Gulf Island prompts warning.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We are happy to announce that the Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassador Project is back again this year! The Ambassadors will be going door-to-door in Canmore educating residents about the importance of removing wildlife attractants such as fruit trees (or at a minimum removing the fruit before it is ripe) and the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program.
Keep an eye out for our three amazing Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors Anna, Graham and Susan in their bright yellow shirts in the coming weeks and months throughout Canmore and Exshaw. Have a chat with them about how keeping your yard free of wildlife attractants can help keep people safe and reduce the number of bears that get relocated and killed for feeding in residential fruit trees.
From L to R: Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors Graham, Anna and Susan.
Current Opportunities
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hiring a Community Engagement Intern that will support a variety of our programs and events throughout the summer in the beautiful Bow Valley! This will be a full-time position from July 2-August 29, 2025. Click here for the full job description and eligibility requirements! Application deadline is 11:59pm on June 9, 2025.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join hosts Alberta Equestrian Federation and the Bow Valley Riding Association for their Third Annual 'Share the Trails' event on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 10am-2pm at the Cougar Creek parking lot in Canmore!
Come meet some friendly horses and local outdoor recreation organizations to learn about trail safety, and how we can be thoughtful visitors in the wildlife corridors and sensitive physical environment where we recreate. Alongside our volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, WildSmart will be there with a booth and we look forward to chatting with you!
We invite you to the Jam for Jasper, a fundraiser with Digital Hobo and the Climate Changers in partnership with the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and the Fairmont Banff Springs! The evening will include a combination of music, education, and stories about wildfire resilience.
May 31, 2025 from 7-10pm at the Banff Springs Hotel - Conference Centre Theatre
Tickets sold on a sliding scale from $20-$100. Click here for tickets!
Funds raised will be used to help us learn from the Jasper experience – and plan accordingly.
May 31 - Green Buildings Open House
Join us for the 2025 Green Buildings Open House on Saturday, May 31 from 11am to 4pm, and explore homes and businesses across the Bow Valley that are leading the way in sustainable, high-performance design. This self-guided tour offers a unique chance to meet the people behind these inspiring spaces and learn firsthand about renewable energy, water-saving systems, and climate-resilient upgrades. Click here for full details and map.
Visit 3+ properties to be entered to win great local prizes—and double your entries if you walk or bike! Don’t miss special options like the Spring Creek Staff Accommodation tour (registration required) or the Community Cruisers bike tour with a Canmore Brewing Co. perk.
June 1 - Recreation and Parks Day in Banff
Join the Town of Banff to help launch Recreation and Parks Month in Canada at the Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion building, Sundance Park (recreation grounds in Banff) on Sunday June 1 from 10am-2pm. Come down and enjoy building spring crowns, sipping on Japanese Tea while listening to a story with the Banff Library, meeting other locals, enjoying a BBQ and more! WildSmart will be there with a booth and we look forward to chatting with you! The event also includes activities that don’t require registration. Click here to learn more and register for activities.
June 1 - Family Bear Aware in Banff
The Town of Banff is hosting a Family Bear Aware Session on Sunday, June 1 from 1-3pm at the Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion building, Sundance Park (recreation grounds in Banff). This hands on program will provide you and your family with the information that will prepare you to travel safely in bear country. You will learn about the general characteristics and habits of bears, how to use bear spray and how to enjoy exploring our local trails while being bear prepared. FREE for Banff Residents, $10 for non-residents. Register here online.
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 Emergency Services at 403.591.7755