Our hearts are with those who have been affected by the recent wildfires.
We applaud the Banff Canmore Foundation, who has set up a fund to help the people of Jasper and those impacted by devastating wildfires. Funds support on the ground work by partners like the Jasper Community Team Society and all donations to this fund will be directed to support Jasper wildfire response and recovery. Donate Now by clicking here!
The information below is 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 (August 15-22, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears, especially black bears, have recently been seen in and around Canmore. There has been an increase in bear sightings in areas such as the Engine Bridge as bears are honing in on Dogwood berries and other natural vegetation. Dogwood is a big attractant for bears in the Bow Valley right now. It’s found in residential areas, along the river trails and at campgrounds throughout the Bow Valley. There has also been an uptick in bears in facility areas such as campgrounds and day use areas. Bears are actively searching for food due to the limited amount of berries. People need to be super vigilant in securing wildlife attractants, at home, on the trails and while camping and picnicking. Bears will have their heads down, focused on eating berries and other natural food sources which makes it crucial that we do not leave any food out (at home and on the trails). Any patch of berries, large or small, could be hiding a bear so people need to be cognizant of this. To avoid negative wildlife encounters, make lots of noise to alert wildlife of your presence, travel in groups, stay on designated trails, keep dogs on a leash at all times and be extra aware of your surroundings.
Black bear feeding on dogwood berries in Three Sisters Area. Photo from Aug.23, 2018 by Witek Strzelecki.
Some bears are starting to move up to higher elevations. However, for those remaining in the valley bottoms and near towns, their focus is on “easy to eat” meals such as garbage, fruit and berries in town. This time of year is very important for bears as they need to consume as many calories as possible to survive the upcoming winter hibernation. Those calories should not be coming from people or their yards as it poses a public safety risk and could cost a bear it’s life! We need to work together as a community to ensure that all fruit (including Dogwood, Crabapples, Cherries and Mountain Ash) are removed from trees NOW before a bear gets into them. Proper wildlife attractant storage at day use sites and campgrounds is also critical to prevent bears seeking out human food and getting into trouble.
ALL attractants need to be secured in your vehicle, hard-sided trailer or bear-proof lockers. Never leave your food unattended - even for a minute, and try not to have too much food out on your table. If a bear approaches your picnic table with food on it, yell and shout to try to scare the bear away and do your best to secure your food. If a bear is feeding at or approaching your picnic table, it is an appropriate time to use your bear spray. However, it is important that you do your best to make sure bears do not get any food rewards in the first place as it could result in bears getting relocated or killed.
Keep an eye out for these signs around town reminding residents to remove fruit from trees!
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
Fast-moving mountain bikers and runners need to be making lots of noise (yelling and shouting) on the trails, especially up at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Bears have their heads down and are focused on feeding on berries very close to trails and bikers/runners are coming up on them quickly with little warning to the bears. In addition to letting wildlife know they are coming down the trail (by making noise), these trail users should slow down to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife, especially around blind corners, at the tops of hills, or in areas with thick vegetation and poor sight lines.
Since the berry crop is poor this year, the bears likely will be more protective of their limited food sources. Don’t expect bears to move for you, make sure you have good situational awareness and give bears the space they need (at least 100m or 10 school bus lengths) to forage undisturbed in this crucial, short window of time.
Grizzly bear at Sunshine Village, taken from the gondola on July22, 2024. Photo courtesy of Shelley.
With all the focus on bears recently, it is important to mention that the elk rutting season is just around the corner. Elk continue to be seen regularly in Canmore and male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with. The best way to keep elk 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, use your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk.
Male elk strutting his stuff in Canmore!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many things, from signs that bears are around, to what to do in a bear encounter. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: their living areas, dining areas, and even their bathrooms. Recognizing the food sources that bears are currently eating can help raise your awareness of the possibility that bears are around where you are at any given moment. Every month we’re going to look at what bears are eating right now, and for the next few weeks, and in this edition of What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Dogwood.
Every year, starting in late August or September – not long after the shepherdia berries are all eaten or have dried up – bears turn to another popular food: the berries of the Red Osier Dogwood bush, Cornus sericea. This is a plant with many names. It’s also called red brush, red willow, redstem dogwood, redtwig dogwood, red-rood, American dogwood, creek dogwood, and western dogwood. There are many other kinds of Dogwood in North America, but only Red Osier and its much smaller cousin, the Bunchberry, grow in Alberta. Red Osier Dogwoods look willow-like, but have distinctive red stems that turn even more red after the first frosts. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Dogwood!
Click on this image of Dogwood to read the full article!
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. You can find them talking to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Last weekend they were at Troll Falls. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.
August 24 - North Interlakes Day Use Area
August 25 - Canmore Engine Bridge
August 27 - Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek Provincial Park
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
Man shoots himself in leg during bear attack, calmly films moments after.
Returning wildfire evacuees warned of bears in Jasper townsite.
Cougar attacks mountain bikers on Washington trail.
How to see Katmai's famous brown bears up close—and stay safe.
First ever grizzly bear sow and cubs spotted officially on Vancouver Island.
Ucluelet, B.C. black bear follows nose into peril.
Bear looking to fatten-up attempts to break into two Trail, B.C. homes.
'Laid Back' Bear Splashes Around in Pond in South Lake Tahoe, California.
17-year-old swiped by black bear as she took trash to dumpster, Washington officials say.
B.C. bear put down after being fed watermelon.
B.C. photographer films grizzly bears facing off with elk.
The brown bear population in Norway near the Russian border is growing.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Since the berry crop this year is poor, it is likely that bears will be coming into town this fall looking for easy meals in fruit trees. Dogwood berries are starting to make an appearance but are also looking poor this year. Fruit trees are the main attractants that will draw bears into residential areas and NOW is the time to remove the fruit before a bear points out the problem. Leaving fruit (such as crabapple, mountain ash, chokecherry and Dogwood) in your trees can attract bears into residential areas, putting bears and people at risk. 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. The best practice is to remove fruit bearing trees and shrubs from your yard, however if you decide to keep your fruit bearing trees and shrubs, please ensure the fruit is removed BEFORE it is ripe!
Crabapples in Canmore ready to be removed BEFORE they are ripe! Photo taken on Aug.19, 2024.
WildSmart has pruning shears and extendable pole saw pruners and fruit pickers that can be borrowed (free of charge) to assist Bow Valley residents in removing fruit and berry bushes from their property. Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit removal equipment.
Residents can be fined for letting fruit and berries accumulate on trees and on the ground in their yards as per the Community Standards Bylaw. If you prefer to remove your fruit tree (recommended), the Town of Canmore is running their voluntary fruit tree removal incentive program again. Click here for more information and details about how to participate.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
This past week, 8 proactive residents have borrowed our fruit picking equipment to remove the fruit from their trees, including crabapples and mountain ash! The longer residents wait to remove the fruit from their trees, the higher the chance that a bear will show up and get into trouble. Be proactive like these residents to help keep bears and people safe in the Bow Valley!
A Canmore resident using our extendable fruit picker to harvest crabapples!
WildSmart had a great time presenting to the Live Like a Local Classes in Banff and Canmore last week through the Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre! So awesome to meet and connect with enthusiastic students from across the globe and to help make Newcomers feel more comfortable, safe and informed when recreating in the Bow Valley.
The Live Like a Local class in Canmore.
Bear Spray training with the Live Like a Local class in Banff.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 16 - Earth Talks: Wise Practices for Living with Wildlife at the Scale Nature Needs
Join us to hear from Josh Welsh, Senior Manager of Communities & Conservation, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation who will talk about "Wise Practices for Living with Wildlife at the Scale Nature Needs." There will be time for a Q&A after the presentation. This Earth Talks event will be at the Canmore Public Library on Monday, September 16, 2024 from 7-8pm. The event is FREE to attend, but registration required. Click here to register now!
October 27 & 28 - Building for Sustainability Symposium in Canmore
After much success last year at our inaugural event, we are excited our our upcoming Building For Sustainability Symposium happening this October 27th and 28th. In partnership with BOWDA, we are bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders who are working hard to progress the Bow Valley's building industry. We look forward to having you part of the conversation.
November 15 - Biosphere Institute’s 3rd Annual Community Square Dance Fundraiser!
SAVE THE DATE! Get ready to dust off your dancing shoes because we're kicking off our 3rd annual Community Square Dance on Nov.15! Ticket sales and more info will be shared in September.
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 Dispatch at 403.591.7755