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 (Sep.7-14, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There continue to be reports and sightings of black bears in fruit trees and passing through yards in residential areas throughout the Bow Valley. Bears that gain access to these food sources can lose their natural fear of people, which increases the possibility of human-wildlife conflict. These bears can cause injury to people and pets, or destroy property, resulting in bears being relocated or destroyed. Relocated bears generally have a fairly low chance of survival (around 30%), but moving a bear in the fall is especially difficult as they need to eat as much as possible before their winter hibernation. You can help keep bears safe and wild by removing fruit and other attractants (such as bird feeders, garbage, pet food and greasy BBQs) from your yard.
Grizzly bears seem to be remaining up at higher elevations but they are also being seen down low so you should always expect them to be anywhere above the tree line down to the valley bottoms. For example, a group of hikers encountered two grizzly bears that followed them down a trail for 20 minutes near Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. All trail users should expect to encounter bears while out recreating so that they are mentally prepared and not surprised if they do.
Archived photo of a black bear feeding on Mountain Ash in the Peaks of Grassi area.
With elk rutting season in full swing, you may hear some loud bugling! Male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with and may become aggressive towards anything that comes too close. The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths - never try to sneak past them and never get between a male elk and the female elk. Remember to keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, consider using your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk. Never approach elk up close as they are wild animals that can react unpredictably!
Elk frequently hang out along trails and in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town, which means you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Parents should have a conversation with their children about giving wildlife lots of space, not trying to sneak past wildlife on the trail and calmly leaving the area if they see elk or other wildlife on their commute to school.
Bow hunting season is now open in the Bow Valley so please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters need to be cautious as due to the nature of their activity, they are intentionally being quiet on the landscape. They should always be bear aware and carry bear spray with them while out hunting!
Photo by Amar Athwal.
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
Larch Viewing: This is the time of year to head up into the alpine looking for larches, but be aware that grizzly bears are up there at this time of year too! There are a couple of things that grizzlies chow down on up in the alpine before they go to bed, and almost all of them are dug up such as ground squirrels, roots and bulbs. So keep an eye out for grizzly bear digs on your larch explorations!
Here are a few responsible behaviours that larch seekers should remember while out on the trails during the fall season:
Always stay on designated trails. There are literally thousands of people out on the trails on the weekends and the alpine environment up there is very fragile.
Wear the proper footwear so you’re not grabbing onto trees.
Leave No Trace and pack out what you pack in.
Make lots of noise to avoid surprising wildlife.
Give bears space! Whether it’s along trails in the valley bottoms or up in the alpine, bears need space to feed undisturbed, at least 100 metres (10 school bus lengths).
Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and be prepared to use it!
It is advised to keep pets on a leash or consider leaving them at home when hiking in alpine environments to avoid any potentially dangerous encounters with grizzly bears.
An example of how busy it gets during Larch season down in the Highwood Pass area in K-Country! Archive photo of Arethusa parking lot on Sunday Oct.2, 2022.
CALLING ALL TRAIL USERS! Please help us out with a research project that will contribute to efforts to improve human-wildlife interactions along Kananaskis trails! The University of Alberta is completing research on recreational trail use in the Kananaskis, Spray and Bow Valleys, which includes trail users’ opinions about trail use and wildlife corridors. Their survey, titled the “Kananaskis Wildlife and Trail Survey” (open Aug 4-Oct 15), focuses on the types of trails recreationists value as well as how potential encounters with bears, as well as trail designation and wayfinding, are incorporated into trail users’ decision making.
This survey complements a survey conducted earlier this summer in Canmore that explored recreation and wary species such as bears, wolves and cougars. They will combine results to support efforts to advance recreation-wildlife co-existence in the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys.
Please complete this 15-minute online survey or scan the QR code below!
Click on image for the Kananaskis Wildlife & Trail Survey.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many things, from signs that bears are around, to what to do in a bear encounter. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: their living areas, dining areas, and even their bathrooms. Recognizing the food sources that bears are currently eating can help raise your awareness of the possibility that bears are around where you are at any given moment. Every month we’re going to look at what bears are eating right now, and for the next few weeks, and in this edition of What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Cow Parsnip.
At this time of year, as berry season fades in the valleys and frost kills the berry plants, most Grizzlies are now up in the alpine. Now that they’re up there, the first and easiest plant they’ll find to eat is Cow Parsnip with their tall, distinctive white flowers. Remember, bears hunt with their noses and Cow Parsnip flowers… stink. Find a marshy, wet spot, or creek or river course anywhere in K-Country, and you’ll find Cow Parsnip. You can’t miss it by late September; it has grown to 6’ tall before deep freezes (which we have not had yet) kill it off. And best for bears: the roots are still edible after it’s dead. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Cow Parnsip!
Click on this image of Cow Parsnip to read the full article!
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 to talk to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Note: the locations they go to may change at the last minute. Here is where they will be next…
Sunday September 17 - artsPlace Community Market from 10am-4pm.
Keep an eye out for the Wildlife Ambassadors next time you are out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country and be sure to say hi and have a chat with them!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Two grizzlies follow hikers down trail for 20 minutes in Banff National Park.
Tourists in Banff warned to keep away from bugling bull elk.
Bears near Banff in search of easy snack before denning.
Vancouver Island MLA gets in wrestling match with buck.
More bear activity expected ahead of hibernation in Crowsnest Pass.
Bear and wolf launch joint attack on moose and calf in trail cam footage.
Watch a Cougars Take-Down of an adult Guanaco.
As hungry bears feast in B.C. towns, some people are taking a 'no snitching' stance.
Montana Man Attacked by Grizzly Bear While Helping Track a Deer.
Man keeps sense of humor following grizzly bear attack in Montana.
Conservation officers look for killer of grizzly bear near Squamish, B.C.
As B.C. bears get ready to hibernate, advocates offer safety tips.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
There are bear in area warning signs in neighbourhoods such as Rundleview Dr. in Canmore due to black bears gaining access to fruit trees. This brings wildlife and humans close together and creates a concern for public and wildlife safety. Bears that get into fruit trees can cause extensive damage to the trees with the end result of the tree dying and often having to be replaced. Being proactive and removing the fruit before a bear gets to it could save your tree from getting destroyed by a bear and could prevent a bear from getting relocated or destroyed. For more info check out the Alberta BearSmart Fruit Trees and Bears fact sheet.
If you can’t reach that fruit up in the tree, no problem! We have extendable fruit pickers and extendable pole saw pruners that can be borrowed free of charge. Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit picking equipment. Picked fruit can be put in the residential food waste bins around town. Leaves, branches and clippings can be put in the appropriate bins at the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot.
Crabapples can also be used to make delicious jams, jellies and baked goods and liqueurs.
Listen to Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert on air on 106.5 Mountain FM talking about how it’s time to remove fruit from your trees and bushes to keep the wildlife out of town.
An example from this time last year of a Mountain Ash tree destroyed by a black bear in Canmore!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
EXCITING NEWS! We are thrilled to announce that we achieved a record high waste diversion rate of 91.2% at this year's Canmore Folk Music Festival!
Thank you to our amazing team of 60 Green Team volunteers as well as Flying Pigs Environmental Services, Town of Canmore and the folks at Canmore Folk Festival for their collaboration and dedication!
Are you hosting an event in the Bow Valley this year? Get in touch with the Biosphere Institute to create a waste management plan.
For those of you who have crabapples but do not know what to do with them, look no further. The team at Core Values Cider Co. is holding a fruit drive this Fall and will be happy to take them off your hands. Drop offs can be made at their cidery (located at 1402 Railway Ave.) during normal business hours (Monday - Saturday 1-9pm and Sunday 1-8pm). For more info please email info@corevaluescider.ca or call them at 403-679-1578.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sep.16 - Yellow Fish Road Project
Help our local water! Rain only down the storm drain! To help residents understand that there is no water treatment for storm water, children and adults will take to select neighbourhoods in Banff and Canmore to paint yellow fish near storm drains.
Join us this Saturday September 16:
9am-noon: Middle Springs, Banff (Meeting: Park Avenue Playground)
3pm-6pm: Cougar Creek Canmore (Meeting: Cougar Point Playground)
More info at: https://www.biosphereinstitute.org/yellow-fish-road-project
Register as a volunteer here: https://forms.gle/8cTmeoY5jG5FBoUz6
Sep.18 - Earth Talks: Together is Better: Community Green Energy Generation in Alberta
The climate is talking, and communities are listening! Join Jodi Conuel for a presentation and discussion about how community generation is advancing Alberta's green energy transition.
This FREE Earth Talks event will take place on Monday, Sep.18th, 2023, in the Friends Program Room at 7:00 pm at the Canmore Public Library. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
Sep.20 - Quarry Park Wetland Cleanup!
Calling all YOUTH! Join us next Wednesday, September 20, 4-6pm to improve sensitive wetland habitat by removing and safely disposing old barbed wire fencing and waste. Safety gloves, tools and equipment will be provided. Please wear proper outdoor clothing.
Come for some good vibes, networking with like-minded youth and enjoy a free meal!
Questions can be directed to Heidi at education@biosphereinstitute.org.
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