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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 (May 11-18, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears continue to be seen along trails, roads and in residential neighbourhoods throughout the Bow Valley! There have been several bear sightings at the Canmore Nordic Centre and other parts of Kananaskis Country, including mother bears with young cubs on trails and by the roadside. This has resulted in two bear warnings and one bear closure to be put in place over the past week to give bears space to move about and feed undisturbed.
The upcoming long weekend will bring more people into the Mountain Parks than bears have been accustomed to in recent weeks. As a result, there will likely be a spike in bear sightings and we all need to do our part to help keep people and wildlife safe! That includes properly securing wildlife attractants at campsites and day use areas. Garbage, food and scented items need to be stored inside a vehicle, hard sided trailer or bear lockers.
Some reminders for trail runners and mountain bikers who move quickly and often quietly along the trails: Make lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail and slow down to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife, especially around blind corners, at the tops of hills, or in areas with thick vegetation and poor sight lines. It is also a good idea to keep ear buds out for better situational awareness, check behind you to make sure you are not being followed by wildlife, and always carry bear spray in an accessible location, and know how to use it!
Elk calving season has started! Never approach elk for any reason! Mother elk can become very protective of their calves, aggressively kicking or charging if they feel threatened. The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths, and not try to sneak past them!
Black bear with cubs along Three Sisters Parkway in Canmore. Archived photo from May 19, 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
The green grass and dandelions along the highways are drawing all kinds of wildlife to the roadside as this is their springtime food. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop, and always stay in your vehicle! Give bears at least 100m of space at all times! Roadside vegetation is some of the first to green up at this time of the year and fulfills important habitat needs for bears. Other animals like elk, deer and sheep rely on this same early season green up which means a higher risk for vehicle collisions with wildlife.
Elk Calving Season (May-June): People need to be extra vigilant of mother elk that will be hiding their calves in dense vegetation near parks, fields and trails. Mother elk can become very defensive and will aggressively protect their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. The presence of newborn calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal. This increases the chance that people visiting these areas may encounter predators who are either feeding on or searching for calves. Carry bear spray, keep your pets on a leash and leave at least 30 meters of space between yourself and all elk.
Photo taken on May 17, 2023 near the boardwalk in Canmore.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek discusses how your off-leash dog is a threat!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Read about these Grade 5 students from the Bow Valley who learned from Stoney Nakoda knowledge keepers and from each other about bison at the Cross-cultural sharing Day.
Another great article about last week’s Bison Sharing Days at Star 6 Ranch.
In a bid to keep bears safer as they feast on roadside greenery, a no-stopping zone along a dangerous stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway in Yoho National Park is being implemented.
A North Vancouver cyclist is recovering after T-boning a bear in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.
Watch how easily this black bear opens a door in this video from Colorado.
A black bear spotted in a west Ottawa neighbourhood has been tranquilized and relocated.
An 11-Year-Old Girl was attacked by a mountain lion that was hiding in a chicken coop in Colorado.
A black bear easily opens up a truck door and pulls out a cooler and then grabs a food bag from the back seat.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Some things are out of our control, but with the long weekend coming up, properly securing your food and garbage is something you can control!
Never feed any wildlife and never leave food unattended!
If you see garbage on the ground, help out by picking it up and putting it in a bin
If the bin is full, take the garbage home with you
Never leave food or garbage on the ground!
We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas, campsites and backyards, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or a reason to linger! Keep them moving along by ensuring your campsites and yards are free of attractants such as food, garbage, pet food, greasy bbq’s and bird feeders.
BERRY UPDATE: With the recent warm weather it is shaping up to be a good Buffaloberry season, especially in the Bow Valley around Canmore. Berries are already starting to form and barring any cold weather (and long-lasting smoke) it will likely be an early berry season this year.
Photo of a Buffaloberry shrub taken today (May 18) in Canmore.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Cross-cultural Bison Sharing Days (May 9th and 11th, 2023)
The Future Leaders program of the Biosphere Institute partnered with local Grade 5 classes on a Social Studies unit about bison. In learning about the history of a keystone species to the area, students learned about colonization, extirpation, treaty formation and - most importantly - the return of the bison. The classroom curriculum culminated in a field day celebrated last week at Star 6 Ranch. Students from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities met to learn from Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda Elders and Knowledge Keepers, from the land and from one another. Through stories, sharing, games, art and even bison stew, we can hardly wait to do this again next year! Thank you to our partners and funders.
(L-R: Ollie Benjamin, Virgle Stephen, Tracey Stevens and Phillomene Stevens)
Sapphire, Grade 5 Student from Lawrence Grassi Middle School
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 3 - Green Buildings Open House
The Green Buildings Open House is coming to the Bow Valley! This free tour of energy-efficient homes lets you see how other people are tackling energy efficiency and deep energy retrofits and get your questions answered by those who have lived it! The 2023 tour will be on June 3rd, and we have eight properties across the valley for you to visit! Check out the property details and tour map by clicking here!
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