Did you know that WildSmart is one of three programs 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 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 30-June 06, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Wildlife activity is currently widespread throughout the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys. Bears are being seen in residential neighbourhoods feeding on dandelions, as well as in the ditches along trails, roads and highways. 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, and always stay in your vehicle! Give bears at least 100m of space at all times!
Several mothers with cubs continue to be seen regularly in the Bow Valley and K-Country, so be extra vigilant and make sure to give these bear families lots of space, at least 10 school bus lengths (or 100m)!
Make lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to avoid surprise encounters and give them time to move off of the trail. 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!
With bears being seen around Canmore, and aggressive mother elk protecting their calves, it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride! Bear spray should always be carried while recreating on the local trails in and around Canmore.
Black bear with yearlings down in K-Country. Photo taken on May 30, 2023.
Elk continue calving in and around Canmore and are very protective of their young. During elk calving season a mother elk will aggressively protect her calf by kicking and charging at you if you get too close and if she feels threatened. People need to stay well away from ALL elk to prevent a physical confrontation with them.
If you see any elk, immediately leave the area and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM. Even bikers should not be trying to sneak past elk on the trails. Turn around and go the opposite direction and give elk lots of space, at least 30m (3 school bus lengths), keep your pets on a leash and always carry bear spray and be prepared to use it. Try to avoid using trails along and through green spaces, and be extra vigilant!
During May and June there is an increased risk of encountering predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes who are looking for an easy elk calf meal. This poses more public safety risks. 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 elk closure remains in place near the Engine Bridge in Canmore to give a mother elk and calf space and keep people safe. Stay clear of this area and make sure your dogs are on a leash to prevent them from harassing and aggravating the elk.
Cow elk with her calf. Remember to stay away from all elk, at least 30m, which is 3 school bus lengths!
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Closure - King Creek Day Use Area and King Creek Ridge Trail due to multiple bears frequenting the area.
Bear Warning - Eastern Section of the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) West of Banff due to black bears and grizzly bears that are frequenting the area.
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
These days, bears are often found feeding on green grass and dandelions along roads, highways and trails. Seeing wildlife roadside (or ON the road) can be an awesome experience, but it's critical for the safety of the wildlife, and yours too, that you do it right. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
The photo below was taken with an iPhone by a 7-year old from the back seat of a car moving at 70 km/h while driving in the left hand lane. As you can see, you can still get a good picture of a bear feeding roadside without stopping or getting out of your vehicle. Be a good neighbour and give wildlife the space they need (and deserve) to feed undisturbed!
Photo taken by a 7-year old from a moving car.
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. Last weekend they were out at the Calgary Search and Rescue Outdoor Show, the Highway 40 Road Closure near Highwood Pass in K-Country and near the Engine Bridge in Canmore. Note: locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.
June 8 - Canmore Engine Bridge and Boat Launch & Highway 40 Road Closure near Highwood Pass in K-Country.
June 9 - Grizzly Paw Community BBQ and the Canmore Engine Bridge.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Mamma elk giving birth to calves in Canmore neighbourhoods.
Parks Canada issues bear warning for Bow Valley Parkway.
'Devastating': Grizzlies slaughter 22 sheep in rare attack near Fort Macleod.
First black bear killing of a human confirmed in California.
Bear crashes 9-year-old's sleepover and trashes Rossland, B.C., home.
Black bear tries to break into waste bin in North Vancouver, B.C.
Bears being fed on northern highway in Manitoba are becoming problematic.
A tranquilized black bear takes a dive from a tree in Pennslyvania and falls into a waiting tarp.
Yukon Crown drops charges laid after grizzly bear killed near Klukshu last year.
Black bear steals lunch bag right from a golf cart in Whistler, B.C.
Heart-pounding video shows bear chasing dog and then a Minnesota woman in driveway.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
We are happy to announce that the Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassador Project is back again this year and the team presented to Town Council a few weeks ago about the success of the 2023 pilot project! The Ambassadors have already started 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.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
By following the 'Ways of the Bison', we discover we are stronger together. On Tuesday, May 28th, 40 Grade 4 students from École Nôtre-dame des Monts and Nakoda Elementary discovered just that! Gathered at Star 6 Ranch, the students worked together to solve a scavenger hunt puzzle and learn new Bison games from one another. They also strengthened their understanding by listening to Îyarhe Nakoda Elders' stories about Bison. Then, the students learned from Parks Canada about the Plains Bison reintroduction, devoured a delicious Bison stew, visited the Ranch animals and crafted a Bison necklace. In creating space for learning and friendship, this curriculum-connected program of the Biosphere Institute is intended to foster students' cultural and ecological understanding. Thank you to Phillomene and Tracey Stevens and Virgle Stephens for sharing their knowledge. As Virgle said, "let's do more of this learning together."
UPCOMING EVENTS
Canmore Brew Co. June Charity Tap!
Join us for the entire month of June at the Canmore Brew Co. for a beer in support of the Biosphere Institute! Half of all profits of the featured, award-winning charity tap (Highline Lager) will be donated to the Biosphere! We are so grateful for this partnership and look forward to hosting a few events there throughout the month:
Songs for Climate (Climate-themed concert) - Saturday, June 8 from 4-6pm featuring the talented Digital Hobo and Marten Borch (Tickets by donation at the door)
Herb Garden Workshop - Tuesday, June 18 from 7-8:30pm (Click here to register)
Clean Commute Challenge! All month! Every day in June that you walk, cycle, take public transit, or use any other form of low-carbon transportation, you can enter the draw for some amazing prizes. (Click to learn more)
June 9 - Grizzly Paw Community BBQ
The Grizzly Paw is once again hosting their annual Community BBQ Extravaganza this Sunday, June 9th from 11am-3pm at their Brewery Backyard! This family-friendly, pet-friendly, cool-person-friendly event involves live music from local band, The Cave Arcade, FREE hot dogs, FREE soda, and FREE brewery tours as well as numerous games and activities.
Our Wildlife Ambassadors will be there with their hands-on interactive booth. Come on by, learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence!
June 9 - Alpine Club of Canada Open House
The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) is hosting their open house again this year on Sunday, June 9th from 12-4pm at the ACC Canmore Clubhouse. The open house is open to everyone and is an opportunity for our community members to learn more about the ACC and connect with other organizations across the Bow Valley. They will have outdoor tables set up, guest speakers, a BBQ, games, and door prizes. WildSmart will be there with a booth!
JUNE 19 - IN-PERSON BEAR AWARE IN BANFF
Join the Town of Banff and Parks Canada for an interactive Bear Aware session that will have you learning how to be safe in bear country. This 90-minute in-person session will be led by two Parks Canada wildlife specialists and includes a presentation on how to identify different types of bears, common bear behaviours and tools and tips to prevent bear encounters. You will also get hands on experience using inert bear spray. This FREE session is on Wednesday, June 19 from 7-8:30pm at The Fenlands in Banff (Registration is not required).
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