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 (April 10, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears have started to emerge from their dens and until the snow melts at higher elevations, we will be sharing the valley bottoms with them so there is an increased chance of encountering wildlife.
Although there have not been any recent bear sightings, there have been several reports of people finding grizzly and black bear tracks and scat in the Bow Valley and in Kananaskis Country.
“The Boss” was seen on a remote camera in Banff National Park and a black bear was seen in SW Calgary earlier this week hanging out in a wooded area in the southwest community of Oakridge.
At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. This can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! As such, all recreationists should always be expecting to encounter bears and mentally plan for this, which includes carrying bear spray and being prepared to use it. To help get prepared for possible encounters with bears, make sure you come to Bear Day on Saturday - learn bear safety skills, how to use bear spray and much more!
You can expect sightings to increase over the next few weeks as the weather gets warmer, more people head out on the landscape and more bears emerge from their dens.
Fresh bear scat containing grasses & some Kinnickinnick berries (Bearberries) found near the lower part of the Lady Mac trail in Canmore on April 8, 2025.
You can also submit your report using the Report-A-Poacher Online form or contact your local district Fish and Wildlife office.
BEAR DAY 2025!
Bear Day is on Saturday, April 12 from 9am-3pm at the Canmore Nordic Centre. To coincide with bears’ emergence from their winter dens, Alberta Parks and WildSmart are once again hosting Bear Day at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park’s Day Lodge.
This event is a celebration and welcoming of bears back on the landscape for another year. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the bears in our area and to refresh your bear safety knowledge and skills so you are prepared for the upcoming season.
Indoor and outdoor activities include bear spray demonstrations, bear safety talks, a bear trapping demonstration, bear awareness hikes (registration required), bear aversive conditioning and monitoring research presentations, kids’ bear storytimes, kids area with make your own bear scat activities, and bear-related booths and displays.
In attendance to chat with you about all things bears will be Alberta Parks Ecologists, Park Rangers and Interpretation staff, Conservation Officers, Fish and Wildlife Officers, Parks Canada Public Outreach, Town of Canmore, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors, Bear Monitoring and Aversive Conditioning Volunteers and Stoney Tribal Administration.
This is a FREE family-friendly event! Activities begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather, the majority of activities will take place indoors.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Since we are all sharing the valley bottoms at this time of year, there is an increased chance of encountering wildlife, and you need to be properly prepared! Always remain vigilant and remember these tips for responsible trail use and to reduce the risk of close encounters with wildlife:
Time to Take down your bird feeder!
Now that bears have started emerging from their dens, you can help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeders down 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.
Click here to read the full article Attract Backyard Birds, Not Backyard Bears from our friends at BearWise south of the border.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
WildSmart was on Global TV on Tuesday to talk about bears coming out of their dens and Bear Day.
Black bear spotted in Southwest Calgary earlier this week.
Guided by the bear, these Indigenous stewards are protecting their lands and cultures.
‘We made everything bear-proof’: the Italian village that learned to love its bears.
Bow Valley roundtable calls for viable wildlife crossings as part of Canmore highway fencing.
Mounting studies show wildlife connectivity in trouble in Bow Valley.
Terrifying moment as bear charges towards skier in Colorado.
Video: Watch this family of cougars taking a walk.
B.C.’s elusive spirit bear emerges for a close-up photo shoot.
Prey size plays surprising role in competition among wolves, bears and cougars.
'Don't have the headphones on': Safety urged as B.C. bears emerge from hibernation.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Wildlife Ambassadors Derek and Karen had a great time teaching Inclusion Program participants about our local wildlife and relevant wildlife safety at a recent 'Try Cross-Country Skiing" event at the Canmore Nordic Centre hosted by Settlement Services & Community Connections in the Bow Valley. With bears emerging from their dens, it is perfect timing to learn valuable wildlife safety information to help keep people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley!
Upcoming Events
Join us with Simon Bagshaw and Wendy Walker for their presentation "FireSmarting the Peaks of Grassi: A Community-Based Approach to Mitigating Wildfire Risk". Simon and Wendy will be joined afterwards with comments and conversation with Caitlin Miller (Town of Canmore).
This Earth Talks event will take place on Monday, April 14 in the Friends Program Room at 7:00pm in the Canmore Public Library.
This talk is FREE and registration is required to attend in-person - Click here to register now!
About FireSmarting the Peaks of Grassi:
Simon and Wendy have both dedicated their efforts to making the Peaks of Grassi area more fire-resilient. Co-founders of the Peaks of Grassi FireSmart Committee, they are focused on helping the community take practical steps to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Attendees will learn:
Steps they can take to better protect their homes against the risk of wildfire.
The importance and value of setting up a FireSmart Committee in their neighbourhood.
The process and challenges involved in setting up a FireSmart Committee.
For those who are not able to attend in-person, you can join online via Zoom by clicking here. (Registration is not required when viewing via Zoom).
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