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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: (Nov.5-12, 2021)

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

There have been no recent bear sightings reported in the Bow Valley and GPS data is showing that collared grizzly bears in Kananaskis Country have either gone into their dens or are staying very close to their den site. That being said, there have been a few sightings of bears to the east and down in Kananaskis Country searching for last minute calories. Past camera and collar data also shows that some males like to stay out on the landscape into mid December. With this in mind, it is important that we do not become complacent when heading out on the trails and that we are mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife!

We will continue to use this mailing list to send out any significant updates on wildlife activity as necessary, as well as WildSmart News and Events. Also keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and Instagram for updates on Bow Valley wildlife and educational resources throughout the winter.

The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen all throughout town which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep your pets on a leash.

Photo by Wildlife Ambassador Sandy who was able to have a conversation with some visitors who approached these elk to within 10 feet to take a picture. (Notice the man with camera under green sign)

It is hunting season! Please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters should always carry and use bear spray as the first line of defense, even if they are carrying a gun.

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

You may recall that about a month ago a man was attacked by a grizzly sow with cubs down in Kananaskis Country. The Canmore man, an experienced hiker, is doing well and is sharing his story of the incident. It really highlights that it can happen to anyone, and the importance of being properly prepared. In the hope of educating others, here are some key lessons we can learn from this incident:

Stay on designated trails so that we are more predictable for wildlife
Make lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife and give them time to move off of the trail
Travel in groups. Not only are you more intimidating for wildlife, you will also make more noise
Think about carrying some sort of satellite communications device in case of an emergency
Surprise defensive encounters happen very quickly so it is very important that you know how to use bear spray and that you are able to pull it out and deploy it in under 3 seconds! This requires lots of practice and you need to carry it YEAR-ROUND in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack)! Bear spray is also effective against wildlife which are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk.

A grizzly sow with cubs. This photo is not related to the incident discussed above.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

A black bear surprises a B.C. woman and licks her hand as she sat on her porch.
Read about how warming affects Arctic Sea ice and polar bears.
A bear tries to hibernate under Colorado family’s home.
A woman survives a black bear attack inside her home in North Lake Tahoe, U.S.A.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Due to warm temperatures and lack of snow cover, many bears are yet to hibernate. Please ensure that your yards are free of ALL attractants so that bears do not find anything to eat and subsequently get into trouble! As a reminder, please do not put out bird feeders yet as they could potentially attract bears into your yard. In Canmore, bird feeders are not allowed to be used during bear season between April 1 to November 30.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

The “Bow Valley Gap" wildlife overpass project is moving ahead, with Alberta Transportation posting an Invitation to Tender for construction on Nov.2, (closing date of Dec.2). Construction is expected to begin in spring 2022. This is great news for the safety of people and wildlife in the Bow Valley!

Here are some details about the project:

12.6 km of fencing
22 wildlife jump-outs
‘Double-barrel’ design similar to Banff NP overpasses
‘Wildlife Corridor’ signage
Minimum 75-year service life

There is also a wildlife underpass and fencing on Highway 1 tentatively planned for the Lac Des Arcs area. While this is still in the early stages, it is encouraging to see another important site for wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation on Alberta Transportation’s medium-term planning.

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

Bear Report - November 12, 2021