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 SUMMARY (July 7-15, 2022)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There continue to be numerous bear sightings along trails, roadsides, in residential areas and campgrounds. Both types of bears have been seen inside Canmore’s town footprint, at the Canmore Nordic Centre, and in the M.D. of Bighorn hamlets.
Now that the warm weather is finally here, even more people are heading out camping. All park visitors and campers need to be extra vigilant in securing their food and other items that attract wildlife, even when they are still at their campsite or picnic area. It is important to always have your bear spray ready and available, just in case you get any unwanted four-legged visitors. We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas and campsites, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or reason to linger!
Please remember that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in areas with an active warning or closure in place) so you should always be expecting to run into a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country! That means you should know before you go and mentally prepare yourself for encounters. Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray.
A more unique picture of a grizzly bear relaxing down in K-Country. Photo taken on July 10, 2022.
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
Some places like Lake Minnewanka near Banff (see restricted activity notice below) have seasonal trail restrictions in effect to increase public safety and minimize the displacement of grizzly bears from prime food sources at a critical time of the year. Hiking in a minimum group size of four that must stay together, carrying bear spray and leaving your dogs at home are simple and effective ways to avoid dangerous interactions with bears. You should consider following these best practices anytime you are out in bear country!
Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and always stay in your vehicle! Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear that is roadside. It stresses out and disturbs the bear, and is potentially dangerous for you, the bear and other motorists.
Black bear crossing the road in K-Country on July 3, 2022.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
The Wildlife team is working hard to keep the white grizzly bear safe in Banff and Yoho National Parks.
Read some more details and opinions about the recent relocation of a grizzly bear from Canmore.
Prince George is the most dangerous city in B.C. for black bears.
Wildlife Crossings are a lifeline for Canada’s grizzly bears.
Two hikers were injured in separate grizzly bear and bison attacks near Yellowstone National Park.
This article illustrates the importance of carrying the proper safety equipment in case of an emergency. Things like SPOT and inReach devices are a must have when heading out in the Backcountry, especially if you are heading out alone!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Watching for Bear Signs – Tracks by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador and IGA Interpretive Guide
Kananaskis Country is home to a lot of animals, including bears. Recreating safely in bear country means more than just knowing what to do in a bear encounter. It’s also understanding signs that bears are around, so that maybe those encounters can be prevented. Bears are big enough that they almost always leave evidence that they’ve been present – if you know what to look for. Keeping your eyes peeled for this evidence can help you be aware if bears are present, and will decrease the risk that you’ll accidentally run into a bear. In this series of articles, I’m going to help you learn about some of the signs bears leave in the forest.
One of the most obvious signs that bears are around is the footprints they leave. Tracks are only left on soft or wet ground. If you remember the last couple of days of the weather, it can help you understand when Ms. Bear might have passed. If you know it hasn’t rained or been wet where you are for several days, then that track in what is now dried up mud is now old. Rain and water wash away tracks, so if the ground is still wet or it’s raining, and you find an obvious track, it’s very fresh. In the fall, knowing when it snowed last can be a big giveaway as to when tracks were made. Tracks in snow exposed to sun will melt out over several days, going from quite distinct to less well defined. Tracks melting out will also get bigger. Click here or on the image below to read Derek’s full article about Tracks!
Click on this image of black bear tracks to read the full article!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
For the most part, buffaloberries (also known as Shepherdia) are not yet ripe in the Bow Valley and K-Country. During a scouting mission in Harvie Heights yesterday, only four shepherdia bushes were found in the hamlet with berries. At most, in plants in full sun, 50% of the berries had colour. The rest were green, and especially for plants that were more shaded, no berries had colour (see pics below).
A great proactive step is to remove berry bushes (and fruit trees) from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. Your tree blossoms will blossom into bear problems later! It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that bears do not have a reason to linger in your yard, resulting in bears being relocated or destroyed.
In an effort to reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore, the Town of Canmore is running their voluntary fruit tree removal incentive program again. Homeowners are invited to express their interest in participating in the program which will cover 50% of the cost of removal to a maximum of $300 if you use an arborist or tree removal service to remove your tree. To learn more about the program including eligible areas follow this link.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Biosphere Institute is seeking a Volunteer Social Media Content Coordinator. This posting will remain open until this volunteer role is filled.
Volunteers needed to help promote reusable takeout containers at the Banff Farmer’s Market. Click on image to sign up!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We are excited to welcome our new Wildlife Ambassadors to our program this year as well as our returning volunteers! The volunteer training happened this past weekend at the Canmore Nordic Centre and their friendly smiling faces, informative conversations and compelling stories to try and improve human-wildlife coexistence were inspiring!
The Wildlife Ambassadors have and will continue to head out on the trails this summer so look for them on trails and at trail-heads, parks, day use areas, parking lots and campgrounds in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country soon! Be sure to say hi and learn something new from them.
Couldn’t resist including this…Do you also act this surprised when you see yourself in the mirror? This is why we need to make lots of noise out on the trails...so we don't surprise bears!
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