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 25-June 1, 2023)
(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. 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. 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!
Several family groups of bears have also been spotted regularly in the Bow Valley and K-Country, so be extra vigilant and make sure to give these mothers and their cubs lots of space! Giving them space also includes slowing down but not stopping when passing bears feeding roadside, and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures.
Remember that we are in the middle of elk calving season so this is not the time to become complacent. Mother elk will aggressively protect their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. The best way to keep these new mothers at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths, and never try to sneak past them! 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. Always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it and keep your pets on a leash.
Cinnamon black bear on the Legacy Trail. Photo taken on May 30, 2023.
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. 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!
Grizzly bear with yearlings down in K-Country. Photo taken on May 30, 2023.
We had a great presentation by Lynda Pianosi and Nick de Ruyter at the May 15 Earth Talk - Family Hiking: Making it as easy as 1-2-3! For those who missed it, or if you want to recap what you heard, the talk was recorded and is available to watch on the Biosphere Institute's YouTube channel or you can watch it below.
Remember to check out Lynda's website https://threemountainfamilyhikes.ca/ - where you can buy her book, as well as download some great resources!
Watch the recording of the May 15 Earth Talk - Family Hiking: Making it as easy as 1-2-3!
Kananaskis Conservation Pass: A reminder that all vehicles stopping in Kananaskis Country and provincial sites in the Bow Valley Corridor will need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
A trail camera west of Timmins, ON captured a rare white ‘spirit’ moose on video.
A black bear walks into a bakery and eats 60 cupcakes in Connecticut.
Read about the bear that ripped some tents prompting a bear warning in Spray Lakes West Campground.
A Yellowstone visitor gets much to close to a Bison while posing for a photo.
A bear that killed a jogger in the Italian Alps has had its life spared for now after a court suspended an order to have it euthanized.
6 cougars killed near Victoria, B.C. after attacks on sheep farms.
Watch this amazing bear make its way across and out of this powerful river in California!
A woman gets swatted by a black bear that was spooked by her dog in Minnesota.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
“Urban Elk” By Robin Contos
A herd of elk is a common sight in the Town of Canmore. Urban settings are becoming more and more appealing to ungulates like elk, as there are large open green spaces, such as soccer fields, where they can graze peacefully without worrying about predators.
However, there are some dangers to both humans and elk that can result from elk becoming more comfortable hanging around these areas.
Without the threat of predators, mother elk may choose to calve within the town. A mother elk will be aggressively protective of her offspring, meaning she will not hesitate to charge people or dogs that get too close to her calf. Although mother elk may pick locations in town to calve because they feel safe from predators, the flip side of this is that they may instead just be drawing predators into the town site. Bears and cougars (and sometimes coyotes and wolves) are particularly interested in elk calves so be especially aware of this in the spring.
The difficulties brought with calving in urban areas are not the only concerns. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), is a fatal neurological illness that can spread quickly through large groups of ungulates. The higher the concentration of elk in a small area, the more detrimental an outbreak would be.
It is important to always report sick or aggressive wildlife as soon as possible. Phone Kananaskis Emergency Services at (403) 591-7755 to make a report.
Always be aware of the location of wildlife in your area and give them as much space as possible.
Give elk lots of space, at least 30m, which is 3 school bus lengths!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Listen up! The Future Leaders Youth Council created their first 'Trash Talk' feature segment on Mountain FM. Keep your radio tuned to 106.5 for info on everything from managing wildlife attractants and busting recycling myths to linking food waste to climate change. Here's a sneak peek at their first episode…
The Future Leaders Youth Council in action recording their first 'Trash Talk' feature segment about managing wildlife attractants on 106.5 Mountain FM.
Seeking youth ages 15-18! Is there a teen in your life who would benefit from a positive outdoor experience? The Future Leaders program of the Biosphere Institute is proud to partner with Outward Bound Canada to offer a 4-7 day backpacking trip August 9-15. Email Heidi at education@biosphereinstitute.org for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 1 - Bear Safety Training for CYAN
Are you new to the Valley and don't know what to do when a bear comes your way? Or do you want to refresh your wilderness training? The Canmore Young Adult Network (CYAN) is hosting a by-donation Bear Safety Training evening tonight at the Canmore Brewing Company with WildSmart’s own Nick de Ruyter. CYAN’s mission is to strengthen Canmore by connecting young adults (18 to 35) with each other and local resources, while empowering young adult voices. Join us for a 1.5 hour session tonight with hands on bear spray training. Doors open at 6:30pm (grab a beer & take a seat!) with a 7:00pm start! Registration is required - Click here to register.
June 3 - Green Buildings Open House
This year’s Green Buildings Open House tour is happening this weekend!
You are welcome to visit as many homes as you like but if you visit three locations, and collect three stamps you will be entered into a prize draw for some great prizes!
View the properties and plan your tour by clicking here! See you on the tour!
June 3 - Exshaw Community Market
WildSmart and a few of our Wildlife Ambassadors will have a booth at the Exshaw Community Market on Saturday June 3 from 10am-2pm at the Exshaw Commmunity Hall. Come on by and chat with us about human-wildlife coexistence, and how we can all work together to help keep people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley!
June 4 - Family Bear Aware in Banff
The Town of Banff is hosting a Family Bear Aware Session on Sunday, June 4, 2023 from 1:30-2:30pm at the Banff Recreation Grounds. This hands-on program will provide you and your family with the information that will prepare you to travel safely in bear country. 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. Cost is $5 and you can register by clicking here.
June 12 - Earth Talks: Sharing the Bow Valley
Join Josh Welsh, Justin Deoliveira, and Dr. Peter Thompson at the Canmore Public Library for their presentation Sharing the Bow Valley: Balancing Human Use with the Needs of Wildlife.
Come learn about current and upcoming efforts to...
Understand the cumulative environmental effects of human development and use in the Bow Valley
Ensure that Mountain biking takes place in a responsible manner that keeps people and wildlife safe and secure
Conduct research and generate recommendations to ensure functional wildlife corridors as well as human recreational activities
This Earth Talks event, in partnership with the Town of Canmore Public Library, will take place on Monday June 12th, 2023 in the Friends Program Room at 7:00pm. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
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