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
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bear activity is slowly increasing, with reports of bears moving around the Bow Valley and down in Kananaskis Country rolling in. Most reports are of people finding grizzly and black bear tracks in the snow or mud, but nothing of concern and the bears have not been causing any issues. You can expect sightings to increase over the next few weeks as the weather gets warmer, more people head out on the landscape and more bears emerge from their dens.
At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. This can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! As such, all recreationists should always be expecting to encounter bears and mentally plan for this, which includes carrying bear spray and being prepared to use it. To help get prepared for possible encounters with bears, make sure you come to Bear Day 2023 - learn bear safety skills, how to use bear spray and much more!
Bears are often found roadside in the spring so motorists should always obey speed limits, scan for wildlife and slow down when passing wildlife feeding roadside.
You can also submit your report using the Report-A-Poacher Online form or contact your local district Fish and Wildlife office.
BEAR DAY 2023!
IMPORTANT UPDATE: There has been a revision to the Bear Day schedule for this Saturday!
The morning Bear Awareness hike has been moved to 9:30am (Registration is required for the hikes and can be done at the Welcome Table in the Day Lodge at Bear Day).
We have added a Bear Day Stoney Elders Discussion at 10:30am upstairs in the Banquet Room. William Snow, Acting Director of Consultation with the Stoney Tribal Administration will facilitate a discussion with a panel of Stoney Elders about Stoney Traditional Knowledge of bears and bear safety (60 mins).
No Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required on April 22
Indoor and outdoor activities include bear spray demonstrations, bear safety talks, a bear trapping demonstration, bear awareness hikes (registration required), a kids’ bear storytime and bear-related booths and displays. In attendance to chat with you about all things bears will be Alberta Parks Ecologists, Park Rangers and Interpretation staff, Conservation Officers, Fish and Wildlife Officers, Parks Canada Public Outreach, Town of Canmore, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, Bear Monitoring and Aversive Conditioning Volunteers, Stoney Tribal Administration and Stoney Elders.
This is a FREE family-friendly event! Activities begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather, the majority of activities will take place indoors.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Since we are all sharing the valley bottoms at this time of year, there is an increased chance of encountering wildlife, and you need to be properly prepared! Always remain vigilant and remember these tips for responsible trail use and to reduce the risk of close encounters with wildlife:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Town of Canmore has updated their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program to Cover 100% of Costs of removal (up to $500 per property).
This program is offered to remove wildlife attractants and reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore. Don't wait for the fruit to start growing, remove them early.
Program Details:
Eligibility: Individuals who own a home or property located within the Town of Canmore.
Funding: 100% of the pre-tax cost of removal of the fruit tree(s) or bush(es) by an arborist or tree removal service up to $500/property. Program is first-come first-served while funds are available.
How to apply:
Send an email to sustainability@canmore.ca with the subject line: fruit tree incentive program to indicate you are interested in the program.
Once you receive a reply, contract an arborist or tree removal service to remove the fruit tree(s) and/or bush(es) from your property.
Once the fruit tree(s) or bush(es) have been removed, email a copy of your paid invoice to sustainability@canmore.ca.
They will then reimburse you for the cost of removal up to $500/property.
Timeframe: Annually while funds are available. Click here for details.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
WildSmart was on Global TV this week to talk about the upcoming Bear Day on April 22.
Bear Day is back and the bears are out.
Feral rabbits are reappearing in Canmore.
The Town of Canmore has updated its fruit tree removal incentive program to cover 100% of removal costs to a cap of $500.
Canmore is cracking down on commercial food waste disposal.
A black bear in B.C. broke into a vehicle and guzzled 69 cans of pop!
Banff wolves die in provincial traplines.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
April 22 is also Earth Day, and the Biosphere Institute will be having an Earth Day celebration at the Canmore Brewing Company right after Bear Day, from 3-6pm. Drop by with your family to help us celebrate Earth Day with some fun outdoor environmental games and interactive booths! We invite parents of children younger than 7 to stay and participate in the games! There will be fun for everyone!
Don't forget that throughout April, Canmore Brewing Company will donate a portion of their proceeds from selling their new Hazy Pale Ale, "Raise the Haze" beer to support the Biosphere Institute's climate, wildlife, and education programs, through their ‘Give-back Tap’! So we invite you to come by after Bear Day to celebrate the Earth and Bears with us! Cheers!
Upcoming Events
Join the Bow Valley Naturalists for their final program for the season on Tuesday April 25 from 7:30-9:00 pm. This is a LIVE in-person event at 101 Bear Street, Banff (above the Banff Public Library).
Native Bees 101 with Samantha Morrice, Polinator Conservation Specialist, Alberta Native Bee Council
Native Bees 101 is an introductory overview of the native bees in Alberta. Join them to learn about their amazing diversity, how to tell them apart from other insects, where they live and what they eat, and what YOU can do to help them!
Samantha Morrice (she/ her) graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with an MSc in Ecology, where her primary focus was native bee population dynamics in remnant and restored agroecosystems in Saskatchewan prairies. She has always had a fondness for animals, especially insects, and she is passionate about science communication initiatives that increase interest and awareness around their conservation.
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