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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 SUMMARY
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park) - For the period: September 2 to September 10, 2021
Black bears continue to be seen regularly in residential areas in Canmore (on both sides of the valley) and in the M.D. of Bighorn hamlets. Food is still constantly on a bear’s mind and they are very focused on eating as much food as possible in advance of their upcoming winter hibernation. They are choosing easy meals such as human attractants (garbage, pet food & human food) and have also been feeding in fruit trees, namely Crabapple and Mountain Ash trees, in yards across town. They have also been seen walking along the streets (even streets very close to downtown) which poses a public safety risk. Bears in yards and on streets can easily encounter unsuspecting kids playing in backyards, parks and commuting to and from school. Removing the fruit from your trees could save a bear’s life!
Grizzly bears seem to be remaining up at higher elevations but you can still expect them to be anywhere above the tree line down to the valley bottoms.
Black bear recently feeding on Mountain Ash in the Peaks of Grassi area.
The elk rutting season has begun so you may hear some loud bugling! Male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with and they may become aggressive towards anything that comes too close. Elk frequently hang out in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town. An idea for parents: have a conversation with your children about giving wildlife lots of space and calmly leaving the area if they see elk or other wildlife. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths), never get between a male elk and the female elk, and keep pets on a leash. Remember to carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, consider using your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk. Never approach elk up close as they are wild animals that can react unpredictably!
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
It is our responsibility to give bears the space they need to feed undisturbed. Please stay out of closed areas and avoid areas where bears have been seen, or where active warnings are in place! You can also do your part by making lots of noise to alert bears of your presence, travelling in groups, keeping pets on a leash and being aware of your surroundings by not wearing earbuds or headphones.
Once again, here are some important reminders about fruit trees for Canmore residents:
Leaving fruit (such as crabapple, mountain ash, chokecherry and dogwood) in your trees can attract bears into residential areas. This creates a hazard for people and the children in those neighbourhoods, and also to the bear which may need to be relocated or destroyed if it continues seeking out residential fruit trees.
Residents can be fined for letting fruit and berries accumulate on trees and the ground in their yards.
Canmore has a Voluntary Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program - instead of picking the fruit every year, remove the tree and swap it for something that doesn’t pose a hazard to bears and people.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Canmore residents encouraged to remove fruit from trees and shrubs to avoid attracting bears into town.
A dead female grizzly bear was found in Yoho National Park.
Important reminder about the elk rut starting in the Bow Valley!
A black bear was found wandering through a North Vancouver neighbourhood looking for garbage as kids made their way to school.
Black bear destroyed after taking apples from campers in Glacier National Park.
Male black bear was killed after repeatedly attempting to access human food at a campsite in Wyoming.
Food for Thought?
As mentioned earlier, bears have been seen throughout the Bow Valley feeding in ornamental fruit trees such as Crabapple and Mountain Ash in residential areas. Removing the fruit from trees in your yard is recommended, but removing the fruit tree itself is the best practice. Fruit trees can be replaced with ornamental, non-fruit bearing trees, that produce beautiful blossoms but are not wildlife attractants.
Bears that get into fruit trees can cause extensive damage to the trees (as shown below) with the end result of the tree dying and often having to be replaced anyways. Being proactive and removing the fruit before a bear gets into it could save your tree from getting destroyed by the bear and it could prevent a bear from getting relocated or destroyed. Click here for more information about fruit trees and bears.
Mountain Ash trees damaged by a black bear in Three Sisters area on Sep.8, 2021. Photo by Bob Cumming.
We have extendable fruit pickers and extendable pole saw pruners that can be borrowed free of charge (donations are welcome). Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit picking equipment.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
As part of the Canadian Rockies Youth Network & Summit we’ve been working with two students from a Calgary High School to create some short videos about wildlife and Leave No Trace that are both funny and educational. We're looking for Youth to watch the videos and complete this short survey help us learn how effective they are!
It should take a total of about 10-15mins. At the end of the survey there is the option to add an email address to enter a small prize draw. To watch all the videos please go to this playlist!
Here is one of the videos created by the students!
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