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 (June 9-16, 2022)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears, bears and more bears! There is high bear activity throughout the Bow Valley (or should we call it Bear Valley) of both grizzly and black bears. With recent snowfall up high the bears are going to continue staying low in the valley bottoms. As a result there will likely continue to be frequent sightings in residential neighbourhoods and along trails and roads. There has also been an increase in sightings in campgrounds, so campers need to be diligent in keeping wildlife attractants (food, garbage and anything with a scent) locked in vehicles or bear proof storage when not on site or overnight.
As you will read below, there is an area closure at the Canmore Nordic Centre due to grizzly bear activity and a couple of bluff charges that have recently occurred. Officials are seeing low compliance rates of people carrying bear spray while out recreating which is disappointing. With so many bears seen around town, and aggressive mother elk protecting their calves, it is a good idea to be making lots of noise and carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride! Right now, even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray.
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!
Grizzly bear having a drink at Quarry Lake on June 11, 2022. Photo by Matias Brown.
Grizzly bear out for post-drinking stroll at Quarry Lake on June 11, 2022. Photo by Elliot Brown.
There is a bear closure for specific trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre due to grizzly bear activity.
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
With all the talk about bears, we can’t forget about elk calving season as 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. 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! Stay out of closed areas and it is best to avoid areas with elk warnings.
The Elk Calving Warning remains in effect for Canmore.
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 and often results on predators getting relocated or destroyed.
Grizzly bear in Canmore on June 15, 2022. With all the bear and elk activity in town, even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Here is some footage of a mother moose fending off a bear trying to get her two calves.
Watch this video from Spain of a large male bear attacking a female sow with a cub. Nature can sure be cruel!
A local story about a grizzly bear feeding on dandelions at a Canmore school.
Alberta photographer shares video of rare white grizzly bear “Nakoda” in Yoho National Park.
Some good reminders from Tennessee about managing your attractant while camping to avoid potentail close encounters with bears and other wildlfie.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are trying to trap a grizzly bear that has been frequenting the north side of Canmore.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide
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 on the image below to read Derek’s full article.
Click on this image of a grizzly bear eating Dandelions to read the full article!
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Biosphere Institute is seeking a full-time Environmental Educator. Closing date is Wednesday June 22, 2022 and you can click on the image below for more info.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We had a great time at Trails Fest last weekend and our Wildlife Ambassadors had a chance to speak with lots of visitors about our local wildlife, wildlife safety and responsible use of the trails. We also ran several bear spray training sessions and led three fun and educational experiential bear hikes where particpants received hands-on training on how to avoid bears and how to handle a variety of different bear encounters with help from the WildSmart bear. Thanks to the Friends of Kananaskis Country for organizing such a great event!
Some more good news! This familiar passionate group of young people recently held a sale of homemade goods and raised $184 for the Biosphere Institute to advance our work on climate action and human-wildlife coexistence! This is their second donation of the year and we are truly inspired and grateful for their passion and support! Click here to read their story in a past blog post.
Clockwise from left to right: Andrea (Biosphere staff), Abigail, Hadley, Gareth (Bisophere staff), Maya & Zoe
EVENTS
The Eco Solar Home Tour on Sat. June 25, 2022 is an annual tour showcasing energy efficient homes. 2022 is Canmore’s inaugural year! The tour will give you an opportunity to talk with homeowners and hear about their experiences with the latest energy-efficient technologies. Click on the image below for more details!
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