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
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park) For the period: July 2 to July 9, 2021
There are lots of bears (both black and grizzly) out on the landscape that are being consistently reported along trails, roadside and in residential areas and campgrounds. A grizzly bear (possibly with cubs) has been spotted twice on the south side of the valley in the area between Peaks of Grassi and Three Sisters, most likely attracted to the area by the presence of elk calves. Please remember that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in the areas listed above) so you should always be expecting to run into a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley!
We are sharing the valley bottoms with bears these days so we need to give them lots of space and not leave garbage or other food rewards for them to access. People need to mentally prepare themselves for encounters and remember to make lots of noise, keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it in case of a close encounter.
Archive photo. This is not a photo of the grizzly bear spotted on the south side of the valley.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Elk calving season is winding down and the warnings signs around the Town of Canmore have been taken down. That does not mean people should become complacent as mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened, and the calves will also continue to draw predators into town looking for an easy meal. Stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and do not try to sneak past them on a trail!
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Buffaloberries will start to ripen in a few weeks. Please be proactive and remove berry bushes from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. 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 destroyed.
Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back talking about animal signs!
BEARS IN THE NEWS
A US woman was killed by a bear that dragged her from her tent in Montana
Whitehorse, Yukon residents warned not to feed wildlife after black bear killed
A Montana man was bitten by a brown bear in Alaska. The bear moved so fast that he did not have enough time to pull out his bear spray.
Example of bear spray being used to deter a bear in Katmai National Park that swatted a visitor
Banff visitors reminded that ‘a fed bear is a dead bear.’
Bear climbs through open window of home in Colorado to eat cat food
Bear caught on video swinging from a bird feeder down in Pennsylvania
Food for Thought?
Significant amounts of waste continue to be left in day use areas and discarded along trails. Some of this waste is left behind indirectly by the wind blowing garbage off of picnic tables or peoples’ laps while they are eating. We all need to a take a quick walk around our picnic area or campsite to spot when this happens and pick up any garbage that has been left behind. Being exposed to unnatural food sources such as garbage puts wildlife at risk and increases public safety concerns around human wildlife interactions. Pack out what you pack in and leave no trace behind when you are out on the trails. It is YOUR responsibility to clean up after yourself and your pets, so make sure you pack out your dog poop baggies too!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Introducing: Skip the Depot
Is your refundable recycling piling up? Want an easy way to give back to WildSmart? SkipTheDepot is a door-to-door bottle collection service that allows you to donate your refundable recycling to charities of your choice. Collections can now be scheduled in Canmore as well as these cities and towns. Recycling is now as easy as 1,2,3:
1. Download the app or register online, and book a pickup using this link:
https://app.skipthedepot.com/biosphere
2. Place your bags outside
3. Your refund gets donated directly to the Biosphere Institute!
SkipTheDepot is a great way to donate directly to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and WildSmart. Thanks for your support!
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