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 (April 18-25, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
We’re still buzzing from a successful and well attended Bear Day last Saturday! Thanks to everyone who came out and all our volunteers and presenters - more on that later in this report. Bear activity continues to slowly increase as reports of tracks and bears moving around on the landscape in the Bow Valley and in Kananaskis Country continue to roll in. Sightings will likely increase over the next few weeks as the weather gets warmer, more people head out on the landscape and more bears emerge from their dens.
Females with cubs will be emerging from their dens in the coming weeks and they will be very protective of their young. It is very important to give these new mothers and their young, and ALL wildlife, lots of space! Here is an example of a mother bear charging at a truck to protect her cubs!
At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. This can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! As such, all recreationists should always be expecting to encounter bears and mentally plan for this, which includes carrying bear spray and being prepared to use it.
Fresh black bear track near Quaite Valley in the Bow Valley. Photo taken on April 24, 2024.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Please be advised of the ANNUAL AREA CLOSURE of a portion of the Fairholme Environmentally Sensitive Site north and west of Johnson Lake and continuing east along the Fairholme Bench to Morrison Coulee. Johnson Lake and all designated trails in the vicinity of Johnson Lake remain open (see map below). This is to protect wildlife activity in the area. Click on the map below for details. There are seasonal closures in Kananaskis as well, refresh yourself on where they are here.
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
At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. This can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! As such, all recreationists should always be expecting to encounter bears and mentally plan for this, always remain vigilant and remember these tips for responsible trail use and to reduce the risk of close encounters with wildlife:
Make lots of noise to alert wildlife to your presence. The human voice is the best tool!
Travel in a group, keep children close by and avoid heading out at dusk, dawn or night when wildlife is most active.
GIVE WILDLIFE SPACE! Always stay a minimum of 30 metres (or 3 school bus lengths) from ungulates like deer, elk, moose and sheep and 100 metres (or 10 school bus lengths) from carnivores like bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes.
Be aware of your surroundings (look and listen for wildlife and their signs, including tracks and scat). That includes not wearing earbuds/headphones, which will limit your ability to hear approaching humans AND wildlife.
KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH unless you are in a designated off-leash dog area. Practice being able to pull out your bear spray while holding your dog on a leash in case of an encounter, or consider leaving your dog at home. Remember to pick up after your dogs as their feces can act as an attractant for bears.
Give wildlife space by NOT entering closed areas, and be extra vigilant when entering areas with active warnings in place!
Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, know how to use it and be prepared to use it. Make sure it is not expired, and if you need to refresh your memory on the proper use of bear spray, we have an excellent video on our website. Bear spray should be carried while walking on well-travelled trails, including the trails in and around town; it is also effective against non-hibernating wildlife such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk.
Question: Have you checked to see if your bear spray is expired?
Double check to make sure your can of bear spray has not expired!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Never approach or feed any wildlife (including squirrels), and always pack out what you pack in. Indirectly feeding wildlife by being careless and leaving garbage out is just as bad as directly feeding wildlife. The end result is the same in both cases – the animal will likely have to be relocated or killed. Ensure that all attractants such as food, garbage, recycling, bird feeders, pets, pet food and greasy BBQ's are secure and not accessible by wildlife at home and out on the trails. Bears are especially hungry at this time of year and always searching for food so please do not draw them into residential areas, picnic areas or campsites by providing them with any sort of a meal.
Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program - The Town of Canmore is once again offering their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program this year to cover 100% of costs of removal (up to $500 per property). This program is offered to remove wildlife attractants and reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore. Don't wait for the fruit to start growing, remove them early.
Eligibility: Individuals who own a home or property located within the Town of Canmore.
Funding: 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. Program is first-come first-served while funds are available.
Click here for details and how to apply. Applications are now open while funds are available.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Grizzlies get their bearings after emerging from winter slumber.
'I've had three bears that wanted to kill me': Grizzly attack survivors, experts urge Albertans to be prepared.
Officials: No criminal charges in caught-on-camera case of black bear cubs pulled from tree.
Watch this video of a grizzly bear charging at a truck on the highway.
B.C. man shares bear attack survival story at University of Lethbridge.
Mountain lions are elusive, looking for food, and more likely to attack if you’re moving. What’s a cyclist to do?
The elusive "Cougar's Shadow" only emerges twice a year.
Do polar bears hibernate? The arctic mammal's sleep behavior, explained.
Gallery: PHOTOS: Animals enjoy spring roaming in Bow Valley.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
WildSmart and Alberta Parks hosted Bear Day on April 20 at the Canmore Nordic Centre and it was a big hit! We had over 500 people join us to celebrate bears and refresh their bear safety skills to prepare themselves for the upcoming bear season! This included learning how to use bear spray, a bear trapping demo, bear awareness hikes, learning from the Stoney Nakoda Knowledge Keepers, wildlife safety talks, kids' bear storytime, viewing grizzly bear and other wildlife displays, and chatting with the amazing volunteers involved with bear monitoring, remote cameras, aversive conditioning and the Wildlife Ambassador program.
Thank you to all those who attended and all the volunteers and presenters who helped make the event a success! Special thanks to Kodiak Wildlife Products for donating bear spray and belts for the door prizes and to Kare-Bear who did an amzaing job again as the WildSmart bear!
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 4 & 5 - 2024 CLEAN COMMUTE EXPO!
If you are considering switching to an electric vehicle or want to learn more about getting around town without using your car, this event is not to be missed!
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hosting the Bow Valley’s first Clean Commute Expo on May 4 and 5, 2024. The Expo will showcase a variety of alternative low-carbon transportation options, provide informative presentations throughout the day and host a wide range of exhibitors, including local businesses and community organizations.
The Expo will be held at Elevation Place in Canmore (700 Railway Avenue, Canmore) on Saturday, May 4, 2024, and at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff (100 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff) on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
The event will be open to the public on both days from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and no registration is required. We look forward to seeing you at the Expo!
Clean Commute Expo Volunteers Needed
In addition to hosting the event, we are still looking for volunteers for a variety of responsibilities at both the Canmore and Banff Clean Commute Expo events including:
Expo set-up
Biosphere booth support
EV Compound Attendant
Expo take-down
Click the button below to sign-up as a volunteer!
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