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 (Sep.14-21, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Some of the bear warnings that were in place at the campgrounds in the Bow Valley have been removed due to a decrease in sightings. That being said, don’t let your guard down as bears are still active, searching for food throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, and continue to be seen on both sides of the valley, especially feeding in fruit trees in residential areas. So if you haven’t already done so, remove your fruit NOW before it’s too late and a bear gets into trouble in your tree.
Bears have also been seen near garbage & recycling bins, along many of the trail systems in town, and sleeping in backyards, so the probability of running into a bear in Canmore is still high. That, plus the fact that there have already been some reports in Canmore along the popular river trails of large rutting bull elk showing aggression towards people (and even making contact), means that people should be carrying bear spray with them out on the trails, even if they are going for a leisurely walk around town. You should still expect to encounter bears while out recreating so be properly prepared and not surprised!
Recent photo of a black bear feeding in a fruit tree in Canmore.
With elk rutting season in full swing, you may hear some loud bugling! Male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with and may become aggressive towards anything that comes too close, even trucks (see the picture below and read this article from 2018). The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths - never try to sneak past them and never get between a male elk and the female elk. Remember to keep pets on a leash, 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!
Elk frequently hang out along trails and in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town, which means you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Parents should have a conversation with their children about giving wildlife lots of space, not trying to sneak past wildlife on the trail and calmly leaving the area if they see elk or other wildlife on their commute to school.
Four holes made by a charging bull elk when this truck was stopped at a traffic light in Jasper National Park (2018). Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.
Bow hunting season is now open in the Bow Valley so please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters need to be cautious as due to the nature of their activity, they are intentionally being quiet on the landscape. They should always be bear aware and carry bear spray with them while out hunting!
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
Ever wonder how bear resistant containers are certified? This video by Tom Scott is a great look at bear resistant containers, why they matter, and how they're tested. Note: GoPros are not bear proof!
Tom Scott explains (and shows) brilliantly how bear resistant containers are certified in this video.
CALLING ALL TRAIL USERS! Please help us out with a research project that will contribute to efforts to improve human-wildlife interactions along Kananaskis trails! The University of Alberta is completing research on recreational trail use in the Kananaskis, Spray and Bow Valleys, which includes trail users’ opinions about trail use and wildlife corridors. Their survey, titled the “Kananaskis Wildlife and Trail Survey” (open Aug 4-Oct 15), focuses on the types of trails recreationists value as well as how potential encounters with bears, as well as trail designation and wayfinding, are incorporated into trail users’ decision making.
Trail Users: Please complete this 15-minute online survey or scan the QR code below!
Trail Users with Dogs: Please complete this 15-minute online survey that is geared towards trail user choice related to dogs (on leash and off leash).
Click on image for the Kananaskis Wildlife & Trail Survey.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Larch Viewing: This is the time of year to head up into the alpine looking for larches, but be aware that grizzly bears are up there at this time of year too! There are a couple of things that grizzlies chow down on up in the alpine before they go to bed, and almost all of them are dug up such as ground squirrels, roots and bulbs. So keep an eye out for grizzly bear digs on your larch explorations!
Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back to talk to you about grizzly bear claws and their digs.
WEEKLY WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WHEREABOUTS
In case you have not seen them yet, our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors have been heading out onto trails and trailheads to talk to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Note: the locations they go to may change at the last minute. Here is where they will be next…
Sunday September 24
Love Your Lake Community Clean-up at Quarry Lake in Canmore (see below)
Highwood Pass
Banff Central Park and Recreation Grounds
Keep an eye out for the Wildlife Ambassadors next time you are out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country and be sure to say hi and have a chat with them!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Grizzly bear encounter with hikers near Lake Louise wasn't stalking.
Local article titled “Why did the elk cross the road?”
Bear cub euthanized in Jasper National Park after serious injury.
Watch a cougar run down an elk calf while its herd looks on.
Brown bear found stumbling around for days with plastic barrel stuck on head.
Bear at Disney’s Magic Kingdom was captured.
Bear Cam Viewers Spot Lost Hiker in Katmai National Park.
5 young bears turn a B.C. lawn into their own personal playground in Prince George, B.C.
Angler kills grizzly bear in self-defense encounter.
Watch: Bear walks into Telluride restaurant looking for a snack.
Bear sightings all over the Houston, Texas area due to garbage, fruit trees and bird feeders.
Watch this video of a man who calmly ushers black bear off the patio and gets swatted.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Bears continue to be seen feeding in fruit trees throughout Canmore! This brings wildlife and humans close together and creates a concern for public and wildlife safety. Bears that get into fruit trees can cause extensive damage to the trees with the end result of the tree dying and often having to be replaced. Being proactive and removing the fruit before a bear gets to it could save your tree from getting destroyed by a bear and could prevent a bear from getting relocated or destroyed. Relocated bears generally have a fairly low chance of survival (around 30%), but moving a bear in the fall is especially difficult. More info on the Alberta BearSmart Fruit Trees and Bears fact sheet.
Bear should be eating natural foods and stayinbg out of trouble, instead of eating unnatural foiods like fruit trees. Here is a good example of wildlife eating natural foods!
This is a very impressive and cool example of what we want to see…wildlife eating natural foods!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Thanks to the families of Banff and Canmore for painting the Yellow Fish Road! Last Saturday, Future Leaders took to the streets of Banff (Middle Springs) and Canmore (Cougar Creek). Children and teens listened to a ‘Story of the Bow’ to help them understand why rain only goes down the storm drain.
Did you know? There is no, zero, nada water treatment between the street storm drain and the Bow River. In other words, what your pour onto the streets goes straight into someone else’s home (i.e. ducks and fish) and drinking water. Pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, hydrocarbons, soaps and anything but storm water need special water treatment.
Washing your car? Do it at the car wash. Draining your RV? Do it at a designated grey water site. If your street needs some yellow fish, let us know and we’ll organize a painting pop-up in your neighbourhood. The fishies thank you!
Thanks to the Alberta Conservation Association, Town of Banff, Parks Canada, Town of Canmore and Bow Valley Decorating for supporting the project!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sep.24 - Love your Lake Community Cleanup!
Show Quarry Lake some love! Join us, along with our Wildlife Ambassadors and your local Town of Canmore Municipal Enforcement Officers at the annual Love Your Lake Community Clean Up!
From 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Quarry Lake on Sunday, Sept. 24
Lend a hand and park for free (if you don’t have a free resident’s pass). Register at the welcome tent for a temporary parking pass.
All materials provided on-site. Check-in at the pathway nearest to the parking lot.
Learn about how to keep people and wildlife safe through simple actions such as keeping dogs on-leash, staying on designated trails, how to use and carry bear spray and managing attractants in your backyard. We will bring some inert bear spray for you to try out!
October 11 - Accelerating Climate Action in the Bow Valley
Join us for Accelerating Climate Action in the Bow Valley on October 11, 2023, for an afternoon of of presentations, sharing, connection and community climate action! There is a lot of fantastic work that is currently happening in in the Bow Valley - we're bringing the whole community together to celebrate, strengthen and amplify it!
This meeting will bring together businesses, not-for profit organizations, government agencies and other sectors of the Bow Valley community to take climate action and simultaneously address social, economic and health issues in the Bow Valley.
Come together as a community, learn about great local projects taking inspiring climate action, and add your voice to where we go next!
Register for free below to reserve your place now. Click here for event details!
Details: October 11th, 2023 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM, Coast Hotel Canmore
Do you have a climate action project you'd like to feature at this event? Send us an email to andrew@biosphereinstitute.org
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