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
(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 bears moving around on the landscape in the Bow Valley and down 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.
A Cougar Warning has been issued for the Guy Lafleur Trail between the Stewart Creek Area and Dead Man's Flats due to an unconfirmed cougar encounter with a woman running with her dog. Bear spray was deployed and no physical contact was made. Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services and Conservation Officers searched the area but no cougar or signs were found, and there were no kills in area. Trail users are reminded to make lots of noise, walk/hike/run/bike in groups, keep pets on a leash and carry bear spray in an easily accessible location.
Question: Have you checked to see if your bear spray is expired?
This can of bear spray is expired and should be replaced with a new one!
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Please be advised of the ANNUAL CLOSURE: Spray River Valley. 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.
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.
Give wildlife space by NOT entering closed areas, and be extra vigilant when entering areas with active warnings in place!
This is an example of people NOT giving wildlife the space they deserve!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
A close encounter between a cougar and a woman running with her dog in Canmore has prompted a warning.
The black bear that killed a dog was destroyed due to 'very concerning' and 'predatory' behaviour in Jasper National Park.
Stoney Nakoda Nations elders and knowledge keepers share traditional ways to respect bears at Bear Day event.
Here are some great photos from Bear Day from the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
A North Vancouver man has been fined for repeatedly feeding a black bear and cub.
A female black bear was euthanized after biting a 74-Year-Old woman walking her dog on a leash in Connecticut.
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 destroyed. Ensure that all attractants such as food, garbage, recycling, bird feeders, pets, pet food and greasy BBQs 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.
Another reminder that the Town of Canmore has updated their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program 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. Click here for details.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
WildSmart and Alberta Parks hosted Bear Day on April 22 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 Elders about Stoney traditional knowldege of bears and bear safety, viewing grizzly bear and other wildlife displays, and chatting with the amazing volunteers involved with bear monitoring, aversive conditioning and the Wildlife Ambassador program. Special thanks go out to Kare-Bear who did an amzaing job as “The Bear”!
Upcoming Events
April - Give Back Tap!
Don't forget that throughout April, Canmore Brewing Company will donate a portion of their proceeds from selling their new Hazy Pale Ale, "Raise the Haze" beer to support the Biosphere Institute's climate, wildlife, and education programs, through their ‘Give-back Tap’! Cheers!
May 15 - Earth Talks Speaker Series
Join Lynda Pianosi and Nick de Ruyter at the Canmore Public Library for their presentation Family Hiking: Making it as Easy as 1-2-3. Learn the key things you should know for a safe and enjoyable day on the trail!
Living with the beautiful Rocky Mountains in our backyard, we are surrounded by nature, wildlife, and hiking trails galore. But do you know which trails are family friendly, or how to choose the best hike for all the members of your group? Have you wondered what you should pack in a first aid kit or how to use bear spray? At this Earth Talks presentation, you'll learn all that, and more! Nick and Lynda will touch base on the key things you should know to make your family hiking experience safe and enjoyable!
Click on this image for more info!
June 3 - Green Buildings Open House
The Green Buildings Open House is coming to the Bow Valley! This free tour of energy-efficient homes lets you see how other people are tackling energy efficiency and deep energy retrofits and get your questions answered by those who have lived it! The 2023 tour is ready to go on June 3rd, and we have eight properties across the valley for you to visit! Mark your calendars - you do not want to miss this!
Click on this image for more 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