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 (Aug 17-24, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
We continue to see bears throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, including the MD of Bighorn hamlets. They are keying in on areas where there are still berries (such as dogwood) and ripe fruit. Dogwood is a big attractant for bears in the Bow Valley right now and it’s found in residential areas and along the river trails in Canmore, as well as at the Campgrounds in the Bow Valley.
If you spot ripe berries on the trail, be prepared in case there is a bear in the area! There are also bear warnings in place at Lac des Arcs Campground, Chester lake Day Use Area, Mount Kidd RV Park, Ribbon Lake Area and Heart CreekTrail and McGillivray Bunker Trail.
Some bears are starting to move up to higher elevations, but for those remaining 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.
Black bear feeding on dogwood in the Three Sisters Area. Archive photo from Aug.23, 2018 by Witek Strzelecki.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
A Bear Warning was issued recently for the Lake Minnewanka Loop, exlcuding Cascade Ponds and Johnson Lake in Banff National Park, due to a black bear that is frequenting the area and has obtained unsecured human food.
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 what bears do in August? Learn all about it from our friends at BearWise south of the border. August at a Glance: Bears have many ways to stay cool during hot summer days. By August, most cubs are weaned. Cubs can often survive on their own if they have to. Bears feast on ripening berries and may travel great distances to dependable food sources. Bears decipher complex messages left in the scents of other bears. Click here to read the full article about “What bears do in August!”
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 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, use your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk.
Elk in Canmore this week on Aug.21, 2023.
Have you recently hiked, biked or ran on a Kananaskis or Bow Valley trail? If yes, we need your help 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.
This survey complements a survey conducted earlier this summer in Canmore that explored recreation and wary species such as bears, wolves and cougars. They will combine results to support efforts to advance recreation-wildlife co-existence in the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys.
Please complete this 15-minute online survey or scan the QR code below!
Click on image for the Kananaskis Wildlife & Trail Survey.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek is back to talk about how your teeth are just like a bear's!
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…
Friday August 25 - Highwood Pass
Saturday August 26 - Heart Creek Trail
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
The Bear in Your Back Yard. Throughout North America, they’re showing up in unexpected places. Can we coexist?
WildSmart was on CTV to talk about the importance of removing fruit trees.
Study explores recreationalist behaviour on unofficial Kananaskis trails.
Wildlife experts provide advice after Cougar sighted in Cochrane.
Cougar knocks rider from mountain bike, prompting Whistler trail closures.
Black bear that attacked a woman hiking in Squamish has been found and killed.
There is evidence of black bear's presence atop Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
21 bears killed in less than three weeks in Prince George, B.C.
Grizzly sow and cubs captured on trail camera southwest of Sundre.
Cochranites encouraged to be bear aware even with low sightings.
7-year-old boy attacked by bear in yard outside New York City.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Fruit trees are the main attractants that will draw bears into residential areas and NOW is the time to remove the fruit before you have a bear in your tree. 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!
Keep an eye out for these signs around town reminding residents to remove fruit from trees!
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.
As per the Community Standards Bylaw, residents can be fined for letting fruit and berries accumulate on trees and on the ground in their yards. 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.
There are many ripe crabapples in Canmore. Please remove the fruit NOW before you have a bear in your tree! Photo taken on Aug.23, 2023.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
This past week, over 10 proactive residents have borrowed our fruit picking equipment to remove the fruit from their trees, including crabapples, mountain ash and cherries! 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 this week!
Some pawsitive news from the Town of Banff. A Community Standards Bylaw amendment related to fruit trees and hiding cover was recently passed by Banff Council. The intent of the change is to grant Municipal Enforcement the power to order a property owner to remove fruit trees when there is clear evidence of wildlife feeding on the fruit and could become habituated to the attractant and pose a potential danger to the animal(s) and to the public. In addition, the amendment also grants Municipal Enforcement the power to issue an order to enclose or block off a deck or access to a garage in the event that wildlife are hiding there. There have been cases of cougars hiding under decks in Banff and last year a coyote pair denned under a backyard shed, producing seven pups. Click here to read and download the Town of Banff’s amended Community Standards Bylaw.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug. 26 & 27 - Métis Plant Identification Walks in Banff National Park
Enjoy a leisurely walk to identify local plants from an Indigenous perspective. Learn how plants of the Rocky Mountains are used for food & medicine by Alberta's Métis communities, with stories from a Métis herbalist. The gentle pace of this tour is suitable for most participants & their families. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. FREE with national park entry!
Saturday August 26 - Raven’s Nest Theatre, Tunnel Mountain Campground Village I
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Sunday August 27 - Welcome Building at the Cave & Basin National Historic Site
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
More summer interpretive programming info at the Banff National Park learning experiences page.
Sep.18 - Earth Talks: Together is Better: Community Green Energy Generation in Alberta
The climate is talking, and communities are listening! Join Jodi Conuel for a presentation and discussion about how community generation is advancing Alberta's green energy transition.
Attendees will learn about:
The importance of community collaboration in effective action and how to build a successful initiative
What is community generation, and how does it work in Alberta?
How can you get involved and benefit from community generation projects?
This FREE Earth Talks event will take place on Monday, Sep.18th, 2023, in the Friends Program Room at 7:00 pm at the Canmore Public Library. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
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