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 (May 18-25, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Grizzly and black bears continue to be seen along trails, roads and in residential neighbourhoods on both sides of the valley. Some family groups of bears have also been spotted regularly in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, so be extra vigilant and make sure to give these mothers and their cubs lots of space as they are particularly protective of their young! Giving them space also includes slowing down but not stopping when passing bears feeding roadside, and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures. Two bear warnings were posted today, one at Three Sisters Campground and the other at Spray Lakes West Campground, so campers are reminded to properly secure all food and garbage, and never leave food unattended.
Elk Calving Season is underway and people need to be extra vigilant of mother elk that will be hiding their calves in dense vegetation near parks, fields and trails. Mother elk can become very defensive and will aggressively protect their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths, and never try to sneak past them!
The presence of newborn calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal. Do not touch or remove young calves if they are found in the woods! Newborns will spend much of their time alone in their early days and will appear lifeless in order to avoid detection by predators. Their mother is not far away. Always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it and keep your pets on a leash.
Mother elk and their calves are frequently found along busy trails in Canmore and are often not even seen by the people walking right past them! (As shown in this photo taken on May 24, 2023 near the boardwalk in Canmore).
A reminder to please report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in the Bow Valley or K-Country to Kananaskis Emergency Services (KES) at 403-591-7755. They prefer to get the reports first hand from the people who actually see the wildlife.
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
Bears and other animals like elk, deer and sheep continue to be found feeding on green grass and dandelions along roads, highways and trails. Roadside vegetation is some of the first to green up at this time of the year and fulfills important habitat needs for these animals. This results in a higher risk for vehicle collisions with wildlife. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop, and always stay in your vehicle! Give bears at least 100m of space at all times!
The photo below was taken with an iPhone by a 7-year old from the back seat of a car moving at 70 km/h while driving in the left hand lane. As you can see, you can still get a good picture of a bear feeding roadside without stopping or getting out of your vehicle. Be a good neighbour and give wildlife the space they need (and deserve) to feed undisturbed!
Photo taken on May 22, 2023.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass: A reminder that all vehicles stopping in Kananaskis Country and provincial sites in the Bow Valley Corridor will need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back with some important reminders about Elk Calving season!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
An interesting read about Winterkill Hitting Wildlife Hard in the Northern Rockies.
A black bear attacked and injured two young children playing in their driveway in Pennsylvania.
A B.C. family encountered a black bear eating chips in their campsite last weekend.
A black bear cub is caught on camera dragging a trash can but luckily is not able to open it.
This black bear was caught feasting on birdseed at a Huron County cottage in Ontario.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
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 this edition of What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Kinnikinnik.
By now most bears have emerged from their dens and through the month of May, they’ll leave the higher alpine environments where they den, and move down to the snow free valley bottoms, so bear sightings and encounters will increase through the month. Along the way down from the alpine, if they can find a carcass of something killed over the winter by an avalanche, they’ll be very happy. However, there are no guarantees for that to happen, so most bears will rely on their veggie diets. One plant they will go after that does have berries at this time of year is kinnikinnik. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Kinnikinnik!
Click on this image of the Kinnikinnik flowers to read the full article!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We are excited to welcome 11 new Wildlife Ambassadors to our program this year! The volunteer training happened recently at the Canmore Nordic Centre and their friendly smiling faces, informative conversations and compelling stories to try and improve human-wildlife coexistence were inspiring!
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. Last weekend we had Wildlife Ambassadors out at Troll Falls and Upper Kananaskis Lake, and this weekend they will be out at The Women's Soap Run at the Canmore Nordic Centre, and on Sunday they will also be at the Grassi Lakes Trailhead.
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!
Some of our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors in action at Upper Kananaskis Lake on May 22, 2023. (Pictured from L to R: Renee, Susan, Caroline, Susan, Shirley and Graham)
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 3 - Green Buildings Open House
This year’s Green Buildings Open House tour has 8 homes, including Passive House construction, a deep energy retrofit, geo-exchange systems, biomass district energy and net zero homes. All that along with solar, electric vehicles and more!
Bring your friends, and we’ll see you on the FREE tour on Saturday, June 3! You can visit any of the properties at your leisure. View the properties and plan your tour by clicking here!
June 3 - Exshaw Community Market
WildSmart and a few of our Wildlife Ambassadors will have a booth at the Exshaw Community Market on Saturday June 3 from 10am-2pm at the Exshaw Commmunity Hall. Come on by and chat with us about human-wildlife coexistence, and how we can all help keep people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley and beyond!
June 4 - Family Bear Aware in Banff
The Town of Banff is hosting a Family Bear Aware Session on Sunday, June 4, 2023 from 1:30-2:30pm at the Banff Recreation Grounds. This hands-on program will provide you and your family with the information that will prepare you to travel safely in bear country. Learn about the general characteristics and habits of bears, how to use bear spray and how to enjoy exploring our local trails while being bear prepared. Cost is $5 and you can register 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