Bear Report - September 19, 2024

Did you know that WildSmart is one of three programs of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors.

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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 (Sep.12-19, 2024)

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

Don’t let your guard down as bears are still active, searching for food throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, and continue to be seen on both sides of the valley, especially feeding in fruit trees in residential areas in Canmore. So if you haven’t already done so, remove your fruit NOW before it’s too late and a bear gets into trouble in your tree!

Unfortunately, it was another disappointing week for bears in Canmore. One black bear has been spending countless hours feeding in fruit trees in the Centennial Park, Riverside Park, Lions Park and Cougar Creek areas, primarily feeding in crabapple and mountain ash trees in residential yards. On Sunday, a young black bear was trapped and relocated from Canmore after spending time feeding in fruit trees. Enforcement action has been taken and violation tickets continue to be served to those homeowners who are not removing the fruit from their trees and are attracting bears into town and getting them into trouble. If a bear is found feeding in your fruit tree, the first offence would be $1,000!

ATTENTION RESIDENTS: If there are any houses with fruit trees in your negihbourhood, we urge you to start having friendly conversations (not confrontations) with them about the importance of removing fruit to keep people and bears safe in the Bow Valley. Two key points to discuss are:

  1. Remove your fruit trees or their fruit - otherwise, you may face steep fines and be responsible for killing a bear.

  2. If you want to help save bears, report all sightings of bears in town to 403-591-7755.

Important note about Reporting wildlife: The correct number to call is Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755, but of course it is not a guarantee that Kananaskis Dispatch will promptly relay the reports to Fish & Wildlife and Canmore Municipal Enforcement. Because Fish and Wildlife have to come all the way from Cochrane, there is often a delay which is why Town of Canmore Municipal Enforcement often are first on the scene, and why it is helpful for them to also receive the reports. Here is the reporting procedure we recommend:

1.    Report the wildlife sightings to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755

2.    Then also report it to Town of Canmore Municipal Enforcement at 403-678-4244

That way, Municipal Enforcement will be able to assess the situation and they can also directly contact Fish & Wildlife and give them updates and more information. Peace officers are not able to move or handle the bear but they can certainly keep an eye on it and follow it around until Fish & Wildlife arrives.

 

A black bear wandering through the Seniors Lodge in Canmore on Sep.13. Photo courtesy of Renate Brockmeyer.

 

With elk rutting season in full swing, you may hear some loud bugling! Male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with and may become aggressive towards anything that comes too close, even trucks (see the picture below and read this article from 2018). The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths - never try to sneak past them and never get between a male elk and the female elk.

Remember: keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk or consider using your bear spray. Never approach elk up close as they are wild animals that can react unpredictably!

Elk frequently hang out along trails and in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town, which means you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Parents should have a conversation with their children about giving wildlife lots of space, not trying to sneak past wildlife on the trail and calmly leaving the area if they see elk or other wildlife on their commute to school. Adults also need to practice what they preach and not try to sneak past elk on their commute to work. It is also recommended to carry bear spray if you are walking or biking to and from school and work.

 

Four holes made by a charging bull elk when this truck was stopped at a traffic light in Jasper National Park (2018). Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

 

Bow hunting season is now open in the Bow Valley so please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters need to be cautious as, due to the nature of their activity, they are intentionally being quiet on the landscape. They should always be bear aware and carry bear spray with them while out hunting!

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

Larch Viewing: This is the time of year to head up into the alpine looking for larches, but be aware that grizzly bears are up there at this time of year too! There are a couple of things that grizzlies chow down on up in the alpine before they go to bed, and almost all of them are dug up such as ground squirrels, roots and bulbs. So keep an eye out for grizzly bear digs on your larch explorations.

Here are a few responsible behaviours that larch seekers should remember while out on the trails during the fall season:

  • Always stay on designated trails. There are literally thousands of people out on the trails on the weekends and the alpine environment up there is very fragile.

  • Wear the proper footwear so you’re not grabbing onto trees.

  • Make lots of noise to avoid surprising wildlife - it is not guaranteed and people should exercise caution in the backcountry, have good situational awareness and react appropriately to a bear’s behaviour.

  • Bikers and runners need to be making lots of noise as bears are solely focused on feeding. There have been several recent encounters with people getting into close quarters with bears as they are not making noise on the tails to alert bears they are coming and not giving the bears the opportunity to move off the trail.

  • Reminder that bears in the backcountry are in their natural habitat and people should be respectful by giving them space, particularly if they are seen in their natural habitat. Talk quietly, back away slowly and retreat. Whether it’s along trails in the valley bottoms or up in the alpine, bears need space to feed undisturbed, at least 100 metres (10 school bus lengths).

  • Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and be prepared to use it!

  • It is advised to keep pets on a leash or consider leaving them at home when hiking in alpine environments to avoid any potentially dangerous encounters with grizzly bears.

  • Leave No Trace and pack out what you pack in.

Important: An Advisory Notice has been issued for the Highwood Pass area during Larch Season. Please click here to read more!

 

Some beautiful Larch trees!

 

Make your voice heard!

The Government of Alberta is seeking input to help inform a made-in-Alberta Nature Strategy that guides how we maintain, conserve and sustainably manage the province's nature for years to come.
Fill out this short, online survey by November 7, 2024, to ensure that the strategy reflects Albertans' perspectives, values and priorities for nature.

 
 

Have your say on Parks Canada’s Lake Minnewanka Area Plan!

Parks Canada is initiating development of the Lake Minnewanka Area Plan, a guiding document that will set long-term direction for managing the Lake Minnewanka Area. At this stage, they are focusing on gathering information, identifying priorities, and scoping the plan. Parks Canada would like to hear what is important to you about the area. Your input will help shape the plan.
Click here to complete the survey now! This survey is open now until October 25, 2024. All questions are optional, and your participation is anonymous and voluntary.

 
 

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 Cow Parsnip.

At this time of year, as berry season fades in the valleys and frost kills the berry plants, most Grizzlies are now up in the alpine. Now that they’re up there, the first and easiest plant they’ll find to eat is Cow Parsnip with their tall, distinctive white flowers. Remember, bears hunt with their noses and Cow Parsnip flowers… stink. Find a marshy, wet spot, or creek or river course anywhere in K-Country, and you’ll find Cow Parsnip. You can’t miss it by late September; it has grown to 6’ tall before deep freezes (which we have not had yet) kill it off. And best for bears: the roots are still edible after it’s dead. Grizzlies eat Cow Parsnip in both spring and fall shoulder seasons. All parts of the Cow Parsnip are edible for bears. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Cow Parnsip!

 

Click on this image of Cow Parsnip to read the 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. You can find them talking to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Last weekend they were at Bow Falls in Banff, the Canmore Engine Bridge and at the artsPlace Community Market. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.

Sep.21 - Exshaw HarvestFest Market from 10am-2pm & Highwood Pass Area in PLPP

Keep an eye out for the Wildlife Ambassadors next time you are out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country. If you see them on the trails, be sure to say ‘hi’ and have a chat with them!

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Over the past week we have heard many residents say “Bears do not eat Mountain Ash berries!” This is not true, as bears continue to bee seen feeding in mountain ash trees and we also provided evidence with the bear scat photo from last week. Bears will absolutely eat mountain ash berries and they are currently attracting bears into town!

Canmore Residents: 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 killed. Remove your fruit trees or their fruit, or you may face steep fines and be responsible for killing a bear! To find out more about the fines associated with allowing wildlife attractants such as fruit to accumulate on trees and on the ground, view and download the Community Standards Bylaw here.

It is not enough to simply remove the easy to reach berries at the bottom of the tree. You neeed to remove all the fruit, even the hard to reach ones at the top.

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

Many hands make light work, so if you have family or friends visiting this weekend, have them help pick the fruit from your yard. Picked fruit can be put in the residential food waste bins around town. Leaves, branches and clippings can be put in the appropriate bins at the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot. You can also use your crabapples to make delicious jams, jellies and baked goods and liqueurs.

Picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree! There is still over $42,000 remaining in the budget this year for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program so we urge you to consider removing your fruit tree now while the funds are available! Click here for more information and details about how to participate.

IMPORTANT: If you take down your own tree, you need to remove the fruit and berries and put them in the residential food waste bins around town. The branches with the fruit removed can go to the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot. The Town of Canmore is not is not able to dispose of the bins at the Boulder Crescent Depot when there are berries and fruit in the bins, as the landfill will not accept them!

 

Our 12ft pole saw pruner in action removing Mountain Ash!

 

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

Our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors were very busy last weekend educating residents and visitors about improving human-wildlife coexistence! With the elk rut happening and bears being drawn into town by people allowing fruit to accumulate on their trees, this education is much needed. The Ambassadors were at Bow Falls in Banff, the Canmore Engine Bridge and at the artsPlace Community Market. As always, the Wildlife Ambassadors did a great job at their hands-on, interactive booth, and enjoyed talking to residents and visiotrs about how to keep people and wildlife safe. They also reported that another interesting topic to talk to visitors about is being able to compare our local human-wildlife coexistence issues to those that visitors are facing in other countries. For example: human-baboon coexistence in South Africa and human-crocodile coexistence in Australia. Thanks to the Wildlife Ambassadors for their efforts!

Wildlife Ambassadors in action at Bow Falls in Banff last weekend!

Wildlife Ambassadors at the artsPlace Community Market last Sunday!

Thank you to all who attended our Earth Talks event on Monday evening with Josh Welsh. If you missed it, you can catch the 25 minute presentation recording here.

 

Josh Welsh (Y2Y) in action on Monday night!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sep.24 - Yellow Fish Road Project in Banff
Help our local water! By painting yellow fish near the storm drains and handing out information pamphlets, we can teach others that “Rain Only” goes down the storm drain. This event is for youth ages 12-18 years and the meeting place will be the Muskrat Street Pedestrian Bridge (on the downtown side). Click here to sign up now!

 
 

October 15 - Bike All Winter Program
Community Cruisers’ Bike All Winter Program is open for applications until October 15. Participants receive assistance to winterize their bike, including free or subsidized winter bicycle tires, lights and fenders, training on winter bike riding, as well as a ‘Bike All Winter Mentor’ in exchange for a commitment to cycle throughout the winter. Learn more and apply now by clicking here!

 
 

October 20 - Banff Share and Repair Fair
The Town of Banff and Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley invite you to the Banff Share and Repair Fair on Sunday, Oct.20, 2024 from 10am-2pm at Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff.

What is a Share and Repair Fair? This is a FREE community event that promotes circular economy and waste reduction through free repair, share and reuse services, workshops, and presentations. Drop in throughout the day to explore over 10+ booths of local businesses and organizations that will help you learn, explore or repair your bicycle, technology, clothes, gear and more! Attend a free workshop or presentation every hour (20 minutes long)! Free live music, light snacks, refreshments and prizes! 

SAVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! Free to attend and register. Save your spot by REGISTERING HERE. The first 50 people to register will be entered to win a prize! Must be at the event to win.
If you would like to host a booth or workshop at the event, fill out this form by Sep.20th.
If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here.

 
 

November 15 - Biosphere Institute’s 3rd Annual Community Square Dance Fundraiser!

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley invites you to join us for some boot stompin' fun at our third annual Square Dance Community Fundraiser! The most fun you can have with your boots on...

We will provide you with an incredible live band, light snacks and so much laughing your belly will hurt the next day! Dress to impress in your best Western wear! Prizes for "Best dressed" and "Most enthusiastic" dancer.

Friday, November 15, 2024 
Doors open: 6:30 PM at the Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore
Dance begins at 7:30 PM and runs until late.
General Admission: $45+processing fees 
Early Bird Tickets (limited quantity): $35+processing fees 

Silent auction, draw prizes and more! All profits go to supporting the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. All are welcome! We welcome young and old cowboys, cowgirls, and cowpals! No dance experience or partner necessary. The past two years have sold out, so get your tickets soon. A limited number of discounted early bird tickets are available until Sep.25, 2024. Yeehaw, see you there!

 
 

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