BEAR ACTIVITY SUMMARY FOR THE BOW VALLEY
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park) For the period: July 3 to July 10, 2020
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.
SUMMARY
There are lots of bears out on the landscape and black bears are consistently reported along trails, roadside and in residential areas and campgrounds. 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 and expect to run into a bear while out on the trails. 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.
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. This is no excuse and people need to conduct proper sweeps around their picnic areas and campsite in order to 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!
This does not just apply to bears, it applies to all wildlife as is discussed in this article about a habituated and food conditioned wolf that was recently euthanized in Banff National Park for public safety reasons. The wolf had been displaying bold behaviour, approaching vehicles and seeking human food rewards.
Most mother elk have now had their calves and the youngsters are up and running around. Female elk will still aggressively defend their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. Be aware of your surroundings, even on popular and well visited trails around town and along the river. Stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and do not try to sneak past them on a trail! Keep pets on a leash and carry bear spray.
Buffaloberries are setting up really well throughout the region and green berries are being seen in abundance in the Bow Valley and right up into the Highwood Pass area in K-Country. We will likely see the first ripe berries in the Canmore area in about 7-14 days, pending weather, and ripening will transition to higher elevations in the coming weeks. It’s going to be a really busy bear season everywhere!
Please be proactive and remove berry bushes from your yards 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.
Coming soon to a Buffaloberry bush near you! Photo by Alberta Environment and Parks.
In an effort to reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore, the Town of Canmore is running their voluntary fruit tree removal incentive program again. Homeowners are invited to express their interest in participating in the program which will cover 50% of the cost of removal to a maximum of $300 if you use an arborist or tree removal service to remove your tree. To learn more about the program including eligible areas follow this link.
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!
CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Closure: Rawson Lake Trail due to grizzly bear activity.
Bear Closure: Mount Kidd RV Park Area east of the road of the Mt. Kidd shower building, extending North to Evan Thomas Creek due to a bear in the area.
Bear Closure: Chester Lake Trail and adjacent area, not including High Rockies Trail, due to a grizzly bear in the area.
Bear Closure: Lower Lake Day Use Area, shoreline west of Lower Lake Campground, and bike trail from Lower Lake Campground to Mt. Sarrail Campground due to a grizzly bear with cub in the area.
Bear Warning: Lower Lake Campground due to grizzly bears feeding in the area.
Bear Warning: Middle Lake Day Use Area and trail system due to multiple sightings of black bears and a grizzly with cubs in the Middle Lake area.
Bear Warning: Elbow Valley Trail between Ing's Mine and Sulphur Springs Trail due to a grizzly bear in the area.
Click here for current information from Alberta Parks about visiting their parks during COVID-19. A complete list of all warnings and closures is available here for Alberta Parks in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country.
Click here for current information from Parks Canada about visiting their parks during COVID-19. A complete list of all warnings and closures is available here for Banff National Park.
Here is a list of some Annual Closures in Kananaskis Country.
For more information on areas in the Bow Valley frequented by bears at this time of year visit our human-bear conflict summary map.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
As discussed in this recent article in the RM Outlook, several female grizzly bears have given birth to cubs this year in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks! There are also at least seven adult female grizzly bears with at least 13 cubs active in the Kananaskis Valley. This is very paws-itive news as the reproductive rates of grizzly bears (especially in this area) is very low due to a variety of factors such as natural predation and vehicle collisions, just to name a few.
Remember to give these family groups of bears lots and lots of space (at least 100 metres) and make plenty of noise (yell “A-O”) while you are out on the trails to alert them of your presence. The human voice is the best tool for making noise and it gives the bears time to move off of the trail!
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