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 (June 15-22, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears are feeding in the valley bottoms, along trails and roadside, where most of their available food is located. People are primarily using the valley bottoms (where the bears are), resulting in a large number of sightings of both grizzly and black bears throughout the Bow Valley, including in residential areas, as well as in Kananaskis Country. Take home lesson: Expect to run into a bear while out on the trails! Remember to make lots of noise, travel in groups (ideally four or more), keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it in case of a close encounter. Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around Canmore you should be carrying bear spray!
Numerous bears are being seen feeding roadside, especially in K-Country, and motorists must all remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop and always stay in their vehicles! To help give these bears the space they need to feed undisturbed, “No Stopping Zones” have been put in place along Highway 40, one being just north of the Fortress Gas Station. OBEY ALL NO STOPPING ZONES - they are there for a reason!
This past weekend a bear warning was posted for the Grassi Lakes Day Use Area, trails and surrounding area due to a black bear sow with two cubs that have been sighted in the area frequently. Bears can become defensive of their young if they feel threatened, so be sure to give plenty of distance (at least 100m or 10 school bus lengths) to all bears!
Grizzly Bear feeding roadside in K-Country. Photo taken on June 5,2023.
The Elk Calving Warning remains in effect for Canmore. Some elk calves are already mobile and moving around with less defensive mothers, however there continue to be other cow elk showing aggression towards people who are getting too close to their calves! There have also been some deer fawns spotted around Canmore and mother deer will also aggressively defend their fawns, just like elk, so give them lots of space and don’t try to sneak past them.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
An aggressive elk warning was issued this past week for the Larch Island area in Canmore, due to cow elk with calves that have shown signs of aggression towards humans that are recreating in the area. Keep your distance, at least 30m or 3 school bus lengths away, and never try to sneak past elk. It is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride around Canmore! Give them lots of space and never try to sneak past them! Keep an eye out for warning signs like the one shown below.
The Elk Calving Warning remains in effect throughout Canmore.
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
Remember to give wildlife the space they need, which is at least 100 metres for carnivores such as bears! That includes bears feeding roadside, elk feeding along trails, squirrels looking for food and bighorn sheep standing in the middle of the road. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Be sure to slow down appropriately while passing wildlife roadside but do not stop. Stay in your vehicle and keep moving to avoid putting any unwanted stress on the animals. Never feed wildlife or encourage wildlife to come closer to you or your vehicle. That includes smaller animals such as squirrels when you are out having your picnic.
This video really emphasizes the importance of giving wildlife the space they need and deserve!
Be alert and give wildlife space! Here is a picture of a bear from 100 metres away, the MINIMUM distance that we need to keep between humans and bears!
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. The presence of calves also attracts predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes so be aware of your surroundings, even on popular and well visited trails around town and along the river. 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! Stay on open trails instead of walking through dense vegetation, keep pets on a leash and always carry bear spray and be prepared to use it when recreating anywhere in the valley.
Some elk calves up and running around in Canmore. Archived photo.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Kananaskis Country is home to a lot of animals, including bears. Recreating safely in bear country means more than just knowing what to do in a bear encounter. It’s also understanding signs that bears are around, so that maybe those encounters can be prevented.
Bears are big enough that they almost always leave evidence that they’ve been present – if you know what to look for. Keeping your eyes peeled for this evidence can help you be aware if bears are present, and will decrease the risk that you’ll accidentally run into a bear. Every month we’re going to learn about some of the signs bears leave in the forest, and in this edition of Watching for Bear Signs by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Broken Logs.
Research shows that two kinds of ants that are common here make up a good part of the early season diet of both Black and Grizzly bears. You might not think that a little ant would be of interest, and a single ant is no more interesting to a bear than to you or me. But a Red ant colony can contain hundreds of thousands of little ants, and their ground hills are obvious. Red ants also like living under dead and fallen trees. The Giant Carpenter ants that live in rotten wood in particular can have a LOT of calories in their colonies. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Broken Logs!
Click on this image of a broken log to read the full article!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
A man was killed in a rare, unprovoked bear attack in Arizona.
Bison to remain in Banff's backcountry; range expansion, harvest to be explored.
Concerns for endangered bat prevent lighting on Banff riverside path.
New Banff bison babies push herd population to over 100.
Electric fence along Trans-Canada Highway in Banff and Yoho National Parks to keep bears off the highway is partially operational.
A pig charged a black bear and defends her farm in an encounter caught on video in Sooke, B.C.
A black bear spotted in Kanata, ON prompts 5 schools to shelter in place briefly.
Bear hangs from 2nd-floor window, climbs into home and then eats family's pork chops.
'It's pretty shocking': Black bear visits busy East Vancouver neighbourhood feeding on berries in a Huckleberry tree.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Particpants needed for research on trail-based recreation and wildlife!
Be a part of the solution! Whether you have been living in the Bow Valley for decades or are newer to the area, the University of Alberta is seeking your insights and reflections that will help inform ongoing research about trail-based recreation and wildlife in the Canmore area.
Please complete this 15-minute online survey or scan the QR code below!
Thank you for doing your part to help improve human-wildlife coexistence!
Be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yards NOW before you attract a bear into town. Your tree blossoms will blossom into bear problems later! 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.
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 100% of the pre-tax cost of removal of the fruit tree(s) or bush(es) by an arborist or tree removal service up to $500/property. The program is first-come first-served while funds are available. Click here for more details.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Earlier this month, Biosphere Institute staff members Heidi and Nick visited the Grade One classes at Elizabeth Rummel School. Students learned the needs of animals and how humans can help keep wildlife safe. This included teaching them how to avoid and handle encounters with bears, elk and other Bow Valley wildlife! The students also presented us with a donation raised by selling their wildlife art cards! Thank you!!
These little students are embodying wolves sneaking up on an elk calf!
The Grade One students also presented the Biosphere Institute with a donation raised by selling their wildlife art cards!
For the past few years, the Grade One students have made cards during the fall months that they sell at Christmas time to fundraise for various non-profit organziations. This past Christmas they chose the Biosphere Institute as the recipient for their donation! Not only do the cards include beautiful artwork, they also include important information about the needs of local wildlife and how we can improve human-wildlife coexistence. This project fits in well with their science outcome on The Needs of Plants and Animals. Here is an example of one of their amazing cards made by Temperance!
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 24 - Bear/Cougar Safety & Awareness Presentation
Mountain View BearSmart Society invites you to their Bear & Cougar Safety & Awareness Presentation on Saturday June 24, 2023 from 1-3pm at the Old School/Library in Water Valley.
This is a Free event but donations to the society will be gratefully accepted! Click here for more info!
4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning - Early bird registration now open until June 30!
As part of our commitment to continual learning towards Truth and Reconciliation, the staff of the Biosphere Institute are completing the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning beginning in the fall of 2023. You can too!
Early bird registration is now open until June 30 for the upcoming 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning!
The Outdoor Learning Store is offering this initiative in partnership with over 40 non-profit organizations. It encourages and empowers educators to deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local land.
They have confirmed an incredible line-up of Indigenous presenters and learning content as part of this initiative running from October, 2023 - June, 2024. This includes:
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
Kevin Lamoureux
Dr. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair
Dr. Christopher Horsethief
Joe and Sophie Pierre
Bonnie Harvey
Smokii Sumac
Ariana Roundpoint
Doug Anderson
Registration includes:
10 Learning Modules (~30 mins/month)
10 Opportunities to Gather Virtually with Indigenous Presenters (~1 hour/month)
$25 towards excellent Indigenous Learning Resources
A Certificate of Completion issued by the First Nations University of Canada
Access to a Learning Community to learn, share and connect with
For those who are current registrants in our pilot, Season 1: Foundations of Knowledge, we invite you to join us for our pilot Season 2: Learning from the Land, also starting October, 2023.
And for those who just want to take in the presentations, resources & support (not the modules) you can now register for this part of the learning.
This learning opportunity is open to EVERYONE. While content in Season 1 is mostly in the context of Canada, this learning is relevant across Turtle Island (North America) and beyond.
July 5 - Living with Nature: Bow Valley History from Indigenous Perspectives
This workshop will address living with nature in each season, as well as the history of the Bow Valley from an Indigenous perspective in an informal setting to encourage conversation and dialogue.
The goals are to:
grow existing relationships and foster new relationships with the Indigenous peoples, settlers and tourists to learn more about local Indigenous histories to the Bow Valley;
provide information about Indigenous and WildSmart perspectives when interacting with nature and animals;
lead to an increased understanding of why certain actions promote coexistence and how the power of change rests in individual actions.
Facilitators: Daryl Kootenay, Travis Rider and Andrew Cotterell from Biosphere Institute
Registration is free, but space is very limited! – Please reserve your spot. Click here for event info!
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