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 (Nov.16-23, 2023)

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

Even though no recent bear sightings have been reported in the Bow Valley, bears are certainly moving about on the landscape looking for food. There is still at least one collared grizzly bear active in Kananaskis Country, a grizzly bear was seen this past week in Lake Louise and a black bear was seen in Cochrane. Some bears are still preparing to enter their dens and they have one thing on their mind: food, food and more food! These bears may be distracted while they forage, so it’s especially important to stay bear aware out on the trails: carry bear spray and know how to use it, make noise, travel in groups, and always be aware of your surroundings.

A cougar continues to be active in the Bragg Creek area. Cougars will stash a carcass and continue to return to it over a period of several days. Remember to keep your dogs on a leash, be aware of your surroundings and carry bear spray YEAR-ROUND in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), and use it if required. It is also effective against wildlife that are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk. Here are some extra tips from Bragg Creek Trails.

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.

Bow hunting season is still open in the Bow Valley. Due to the nature of the activity, hunters need to be cautious as they are intentionally quiet on the landscape. If you are recreating, please remain alert of your surroundings, avoid dead animals and always carry bear spray. Everyone, including hunters, should remain aware of their surroundings and also be prepared with bear spray and know how to use it!

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

Cougars are mentioned several times in this bear report and it brings up some good reminders to consider when recreating during the winter months. Trail users should carry bear spray year-round, try to recreate in a group (as opposed to going out alone) and try to recreate during daylight hours as cougars are most active at dawn, dusk and at night. This can be tricky during the winter months as darkness comes earlier than usual...all the more reason to carry a good head-lamp and do your best to go out in a group as there is safety in numbers! It is also best to keep your dogs on a leash and if you are not able to do that, consider leaving them at home to give tired elk and deer some peace and quiet and time to recover from the busy and stressful rutting season.

Holiday decorations, loose and low-hanging cords, lights, and wires can become tangled in the antlers of deer, elk, and moose which can be dangerous, causing injuries or exhaustion. If entangled, the animal is often unable to untangle from the obstruction itself. Parks Canada recommends that residents and business owners walk their property and remove items that could potentially result in a wildlife entanglement incident. To protect these animals:

Secure lights to buildings instead of trees (especially within 10 feet of the ground).
Consider using cord-free decorations.
Use timers to conserve energy and preserve the night sky.
After the holidays, remove lights and decorations promptly.

Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility. Let's make it a safe and happy holiday season for everyone, including our wildlife friends!

Wildlife Ambassador Words of Wisdom

Wildlife Ambassador Derek Ryder shared some really important takeaways at Monday’s Earth Talk at the Canmore Public Library:

🐻 Living here comes with wonder but it also comes with responsibility.

🐻 We live with wildlife. They can be anywhere but maybe they shouldn’t be.

🐻 Wildlife encounters can be magical but can have unintended consequences.

🐻 Report all sightings!

🐻 Every action we take - or don’t - makes a difference!

🐻 Give bears and cougars no reason to stay in the urban areas. Remove wildlife attractants.

🐻 ATTRACTANTS = BAD

The recording of the talk can be found by clicking here or on the video link below.

Click to watch the Zoom recording of Derek’s Earth Talks Presentation from Nov.20.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

Potential budget increase for fruit tree removal and replacement on public lands in Canmore.
Human-wildlife conflict experts feel humans can do better.
Salmon Arm B.C. black bear attack is the result of a surprise encounter.
Two cougar attacks in two weeks on same dog in Bragg Creek has community concerned.
Runner encounters mother bear and cubs on hiking trail in California.
Video of a person trying to touch a bear in Campbell River, B.C. is causing outrage.
Hunter shoots huge black bear and finds 8-Point buck underneath it.
Hunter captures video of cougar patiently waiting to pounce on an elk.
Bear attacks 72-year-old man while protecting cub near a trail in Alaska.
An eco-activist trying to prove loggers had forced a brown bear out of its den was attacked by the animal.
Victoria, B.C. police kill ‘full-grown’ cougar spotted in city park.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

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

WOW. Thank you to all who attended and supported our Square Dance fundraiser last Friday! We had an absolute blast getting together and dancing with our wonderful community. It was a sold out event of 175 people dancing the night away to an 8-piece band (Single Ladies String Band joined by the Hip to be Square Collective) and led by our fearless square dance caller Leslie Gotfrit.

Thanks again to Cornerstone Theatre and Wild Life Distillery for sponsoring the event as well as all of our amazing silent auction donors. Click here to view some photos taken by the RM Outlook!

See you next year - mark your calendars for Friday, November 15, 2024!

Dancers in action on Nov.24! Photo by Anna Sellers @burstall.media

UPCOMING EVENTS

Giving Tuesday - Support our Future Leaders

Attention friends of the Biosphere! In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we have made an ambitious goal of raising $10,000 for our Future Leaders Program! Starting today until Christmas, help us reach our goal of $10,000 to empower our future leaders! Future Leaders is our environmental education program for students, teachers and youth of the Bow Valley. We…

COLLABORATE with K-12 teachers and community members to provide formal and non-formal educational programming in the Bow Valley
CONNECT curriculum, students and youth with outdoor learning, Indigenous ways of knowing and local environmental topics such as ecology, climate change and wildlife
EMPOWER youth of the Future Leaders Youth Council through environmental action projects in the Bow Valley.

Donate now and receive a tax-deductible receipt immediately!

Giving Tuesday - Donate Now!

To learn more about our Future Leaders Program, as well as the rest of the Biosphere Insitute’s programs please watch this short video.

Nov.28 - Bow Valley Naturalists presents: Degrowth or Collapse? By Andrew Nikiforuk

Tuesday November 28th 7:30-9:00 p.m. at artsPlace, Canmore. It's free but registration is required to attend in-person for the live event.

The presentation will also be Livestreamed online here. The online broadcast does not require registration.

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 - Nov.23, 2023