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 (June 8-15, 2023)

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

There is high bear activity throughout the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys of both grizzly and black bears. They continue to be seen in the valley bottoms, often feeding on green grass and dandelions along highways, roads and trails. As a result there will likely continue to be frequent sightings in residential neighbourhoods in Canmore and the MD of Bighorn hamlets, as well as in K-Country near golf courses and roadside. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down (consider slowing to 30 km/h) when passing wildlife roadside. Give bears at least 100m of space, do not stop to view wildlife and always stay in your vehicle! Campers need to be diligent in keeping wildlife attractants secured (food, garbage and anything with a scent) by locking them in vehicles, hard-sided trailers or bear proof storage lockers, when not on site or overnight.

With bears being seen around Canmore, and aggressive mother elk protecting their calves, it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride! 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. 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!

Black bear eating dandelions in Waterton National Park on May 28, 2023. Photo courtesy of Kim Hanson.

During elk calving season a mother elk will aggressively protect her calf by kicking and charging at you if you get too close and if she feels threatened. If you see any elk, immediately leave the area and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM. Give elk lots of space, at least 30m (3 school bus lengths), keep your pets on a leash and always carry bear spray and be prepared to use it. Try to avoid using trails along and through green spaces, and be extra vigilant!

During May and June there is an increased risk of encountering predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes who are looking for an easy elk calf meal. This poses more public safety risks. 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…

Cow elk with calves. Photo by Beth Spencer.

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

The Elk Calving Warning remains in effect for Canmore. Some elk calves are already mobile and moving around with less defensive mothers, however there continue to be other cow elk dropping their babies across town and showing aggression towards people who are getting too close. These incidents are occurring on both sides of the valley along trails and near green spaces. Calves are often hidden in dense vegetation along the trails so extra vigilance is required. Give them lots of space and never try to sneak past them! Keep an eye out for warning signs like the one shown below!

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

Thanks to everyone for joining us on Monday evening for Earth Talks - Sharing the Bow Valley! We enjoyed a well-rounded discussion about balancing human use with wildlife needs. Thanks again to our informed presenters - Josh Welsh (Yellowstone to Yukon), Justin Deoliveira (CAMBA), and Dr. Peter Thompson - for their brilliant presentations!

If you'd like to rewatch or share the recording you can find it here on the Biosphere Institute's YouTube channel. Here are a few photos from the presentation.

Particpants needed for research on trail-based recreation and wildlife!

You are invited to participate in this research study, conducted by the Unversity of Alberta, about human-wildlife coexistence on recreational trails in the Canmore area. As a trail user, they are interested in learning about your trail use and thoughts about wary wildlife species (e.g., bears, wolves, cougars). They are also interested in your knowledge of wary species and your opinions on wildlife corridor management in Canmore. The results of this study will be used in support of a doctoral dissertation and master's thesis at the University of Alberta and the Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté. Particpation includes a 15 minute survey to be completed online.

Your participation is greatly appreciated and will be very valuable as we all continue to strive to improve human-wildlife coexistence in the Bow Valley! Please share this link with other trail users!

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 Dandelions.

It is now mid June; EVERY bear is awake and has migrated down to the valley bottoms. Sightings of bears in towns and along roadsides have increased. Part of this is because it’s elk calving season, and a bear getting their teeth on a baby elk would be great for the bear (not so much for the elk, but then there’s a lot more elk than bears). However, bears aren’t that great when it comes to hunting, and in general, they get FAR more energy from plants than meat. Now is the time of the year for one of the “Top 5 Plant Foods for Bears in the Bow Valley”: Dandelions. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Dandelions!

Click on this image of a grizzly bear eating Dandelions 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…

Saturday June 17 - Calgary Search and Rescue’s 30th Anniversary & Outdoor Show (See Upcoming Events section below).

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

Coyotes are acting more boldly in Edmonton.
A rare grizzly bear sighting in the Port McNeill area of Vancouver Island.
Watch this video of a man chasing a bear in Yellowstone National Park.
A woman was chased by a cougar while mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast in B.C.
This black bear was seen swimming and walking out of the ocean at a crowded beach in Florida. Wildlife officials explain the rare black bear sighting at Florida beach.
A Nanaimo, B.C. family woke up to find a cougar and freshly killed deer in their yard!
A black bear was spotted wandering around a Washington D.C. neighbourhood.
Read about the Biosphere Institute’s Earth Talks series in partnership with the Canmore Public Library.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Is your bird feeder still up? Bears are excellent climbers and will follow their noses for an easy meal like bird feed! Please help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeder down (that includes hummingbird feeders) 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 more details.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

Have you been in the Canmore Civic Centre lately? If you have, you may have seen Stoney Nakoda artist Gordon Wesley working on two new murals that are part of the Town of Canmore's public art collection. His artwork vividly tells a story of his connection to land, wilderness, tradition, and his ancestors. The official unveiling and celebration of his murals happened earlier this evening. The murals are stunning!

Join the Town of Canmore alongside the Stoney Nakoda Community on Saturday, June 17 for an early celebration of National Indigenous Peoples' Day and to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. From 10am - 3pm, head over to the Civic Centre Plaza to browse the Indigenous artisan market, to take a free keepsake pouch making workshop, to observe the Indigenous cultural showcase with Dancing, Singing and Drumming, and more. The Canmore Public Library will also have a booth and storytime set up in Rotary Friendship Park for the day. While you are there, take in the Indigenous Story Book Walk!

For complete list of events and locations for the June 17 celebrations please click here!

Stoney Nakoda artist Gordon Wesley working on one of his two new murals in the Canmore Civic Centre.

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 17 - Calgary Search and Rescue’s 30th Anniversary & Outdoor Show

Our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors will be at this great event in Calgary with their hands-on interactive wildlife display! Come on by and learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence!

June 24 - Bear/Cougar Safety & Awareness Presentation

Mountain View BearSmart Society invites you to their Bear & Cougar Safety & Awareness Presentation on Saturday June 24, 2023 from 1-3pm at the Old School/Library in Water Valley.

This is a Free event but donations to the society will be gratefully accepted! Click here for more info!

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

Bear Report - June 15, 2023