Our hearts are with those who have been affected by the recent wildfires.

We applaud the Banff Canmore Foundation, who has set up a fund to help the people of Jasper and those impacted by devastating wildfires. Funds support on the ground work by partners like the Jasper Community Team Society and all donations to this fund will be directed to support Jasper wildfire response and recovery. Donate Now by clicking here!

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 (August 8-15, 2024)

(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

Bear activity continues to be strong in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country. Bears have their heads down as they are focused on eating berries and other natural food sources. As a result of the berry crop being poor this year, bears will be searching for other food sources which makes it crucial that we do not leave any food out (at home and on the trails).

There has been a noticeable increase in bear sightings on trails lately. It is imperative for trail users to recognize and learn that they are sharing space with wildlife! Some simple things you can do are: make noise to alert wildlife of your presence, travel in groups, stay on designated trails, keep dogs on a leash at all times and be extra aware of your surroundings. Trail users need to mentally prepare themselves to handle bear encounters; expect to run into a bear while out on the trails and carry bear spray to use in case of accidental close encounters. Always have your bear spray on your person (in an easily accessible location) and be comfortable getting it out!

With the poor berry crop, there has been an increase in nighttime bear activity including dawn and dusk, as bears search for extra calories. If you are recreating during these times be extra cautious. High-speed activities such as trail-running and mountain biking can pose extra risk as there is less time for wildlife to react and move off of the trail, resulting in an increased chance of surprise encounters. Some tips to avoid negative wildlife encounters are: make lots of noise and slow down when coming around blind corners, over blind hills or in areas with thick vegetation.

Properly managing and storing wildlife attractants (such as food, drinks and garbage) is of utmost importance as bears continue to be seen in and around campgrounds and day use areas! ALL attractants need to be secured in your vehicle, hard-sided trailer or bear-proof lockers. Never leave your food unattended - even for a minute - and try not to have too much food out on your table. If a bear approaches your picnic table with food on it, yell and shout to try and scare the bear away, do your best to secure your food; this scenario would be an example of a good time to use your bear spray. It is important that you do your best to make sure bears do not get any food rewards as it could result in bears getting relocated or killed.

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

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

Trail users need to mentally prepare themselves to handle bear encounters. Think about what you will do before you head out on the trail and expect to run into a bear while out on the trails! Watch this short video about how to handle (and avoid) bear encounters to help you with this mental preparation.

Bears have their heads down and are focused on eating berries. Their obsessive focus increases the chance of a surprise encounter with you. Always be prepared and on the lookout for bears feeding on buffaloberries while you recreate, as many berry bushes are found along popular trails. It is up to us to make lots of noise to help avoid any surprise encounters, and give them time to move off the tails. Since the berry crop is poor, the bears likely will be more protective of their limited food sources. Don’t expect bears to move for you. Make sure you have good situational awareness and give bears the space they need (at least 100m or 10 school bus lengths) to forage undisturbed in this crucial, short window of time.

An important point about when it is appropriate to use bear spray. Bear spray is used to save your life and should not be used as a convenience tool to clear bears off the trail. Bear spray is used as a last resort. We need to give bears a chance to do the right thing, and if we do the right thing (such as make noise, give them space, back away slowly, slow down), it may not be necessary to use your bear spray and everyone can go their separate ways. For example, it is not appropriate to use your bear spray on a bear that is minding its own business, being a bear, and feeding along the trail. If a bear charges at you and is showing sign of aggression - absolutely, use your bear spray.

Even though this data is a bit outdated, this human-bear conflict summary map for berry season gives you a good sense of the areas frequented by bears at this time of year in the Bow Valley.

As part of our Trusted Messengers project, we worked with various community groups to develop conservation messages tailored to their peer or recreational user group. Messages were delivered through conversations, video, social media, or a combination. Below is an example of an infographic we created with the Canmore and Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) to help mountain bikers understand that there are aspects of riding, namely speed, that present additional challenges compared to other user groups.

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back to talk about the importance of making noise while on the trails!

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 at Upper Kananaskis Lake in PLPP & Fullerton Loop in the Elbow Valley. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.

August 17 - Troll Falls

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

Hungry bear rips outdoor dining tent, forces closure of Banff National Park campground to tents and tent-trailers.
Polar bears kill worker in attack off Baffin Island in Nunavut.
Girl attacked by black bear inside tent at Montana campsite.
BNP wildlife staff urged 'transparent, fact-based' information on fake cougar attack.
Man facing charges for keeping dangerous animals in his small Albany home in Oregon.
Study paints grim picture of polar bear survival in the Arctic.
Texas woman has rare encounter with endangered black bear.
California teacher finds bear in her classroom as she prepares for the new school year.
Bear killed after multiple Yellowknife sightings, GNWT confirms.
As black bear encounters increase in America, avoid serious danger by being 'bear aware'.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Since the berry crop this year is poor, it is likely that bears will be coming into town this fall looking for easy meals in fruit trees. Dogwood berries are starting to make an appearance but are also looking poor this year. Fruit trees are the main attractants that will draw bears into residential areas and NOW is the time to remove the fruit before a bear points out the problem. Leaving fruit (such as crabapple, mountain ash, chokecherry and dogwood) in your trees can attract bears into residential areas, putting bears and people at risk. The best practice is to remove fruit bearing trees and shrubs from your yard, however if you decide to keep your fruit bearing trees and shrubs, please ensure the fruit is removed BEFORE it is ripe!

Residents can be fined for letting fruit and berries accumulate on trees and on the ground in their yards as per the Community Standards Bylaw. If you prefer to remove your fruit tree (recommended), the Town of Canmore is running their voluntary fruit tree removal incentive program again. Click here for more information and details about how to participate.

WildSmart has pruning shears and extendable pole saw pruners and fruit pickers that can be borrowed (free of charge) to assist Bow Valley residents in removing fruit and berry bushes from their property. Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit removal equipment.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

This story will bring a smile to your face … who doesn’t love a nice relaxing bath with a view! This video recounts the moment two grizzly bears lounged in a clawfoot bathtub at B.C. Wildlife Park.

Is your refundable recycling piling up? Did you know you can help support us by donating your refundable recyclables through SkipTheDepot? It's so convenient to have your refundable recyclables picked up at your door, with proceeds going to Biosphere Institute. Collections can now be scheduled in Canmore and many other towns and cities. Recycling is now as easy as 1,2,3:

1. Download the app or register online, and book a pickup using this link: https://app.skipthedepot.com/biosphere and use promo code “SKIPIG24” for a 90% refund on your next pickup!

2. Place your bags outside

3. Your refund gets donated directly to the Biosphere Institute!

Spread the word and share with friends! SkipTheDepot is a great way to donate directly to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and WildSmart. Thanks for your support!

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

We are seeking to contract a full-time Environmental Educator & Program Coordinator. This full-time maternity leave contract position will deliver, coordinate and manage funding for all Future Leaders programs. The Future Leaders program seeks to educate and improve the ecological literacy of children and youth in the Bow Valley, and is one of three key programs of the Biosphere Institute.

Click here for the full job description and application details. Applications are due by 5pm MST on August 20th. To apply, please send an email including your resumé & cover letter with the subject title “Future Leaders, Maternity Leave Contract” to education@biosphereinstitute.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 27 & 28 - Building for Sustainability Symposium in Canmore

After much success last year at our inaugural event, we are excited our our upcoming Building For Sustainability Symposium happening this October 27th and 28th. In partnership with BOWDA, we are bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders who are working hard to progress the Bow Valley's building industry. We look forward to having you being part of the conversation.

Some highlights to look forward to:

Keynote address from Vivian Manasc: Old Stories, New Ways - collaborating to create regenerative buildings
Elected leaders panel (Mayors and Reeve of Calgary, Banff, Canmore, and the M.D. of Bighorn): What our communities are doing to accelerate Building for Sustainability
Reducing carbon while increasing housing – ideas and strategies to achieve emissions-neutral buildings, a panel discussion moderated by Emissions-Neutral Building Information Exchange (ENBIX)
Your choice of 12 exceptional workshops, highlighting best practices in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada
Closing comments by students: What we Heard; our call to Action
Full event catering including: breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments provided by the Malcolm Hotel's renowned hospitality
Choose from five exciting pre-symposium field trips in the Bow Valley on Sunday October 27
We look forward to seeing you there!

Learn more and Register Now!

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

Bear Report - August 15, 2024