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)
It's time that time of year again, the bears have started to emerge from their dens! Until the snow melts, we will be sharing the valley bottoms with them, so there is an increased chance of encountering wildlife. To help get prepared for possible encounters with bears, make sure you come to Bear Day 2023 - learn bear safety skills, how to use bear spray and much more!
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.
BEAR DAY IS BACK!
Mark Saturday, April 22nd on your calendars! To coincide with bears’ emergence from their winter dens, Alberta Parks and WildSmart are once again hosting Bear Day at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park’s Day Lodge.
No Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required on April 22
This event is a celebration to welcome bears back on the landscape for another year. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the bears in our area and to refresh your bear safety knowledge and skills so you are prepared for the upcoming season and are bear aware.
Indoor and outdoor activities include bear spray demonstrations, bear safety talks, a bear trapping demonstration, bear awareness hikes (registration required), a kids’ bear storytime and bear-related booths and displays. In attendance to chat with you about all things bears will be Alberta Parks Ecologists, Park Rangers and Interpretation staff, Conservation Officers, Fish and Wildlife Officers, Parks Canada Public Outreach, Town of Canmore, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, Bear Monitoring and Aversive Conditioning Volunteers and more…
This is a FREE family-friendly event! Activities begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather, the majority of activities will take place indoors.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Please help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeders down for the season and cleaning up the ground underneath! The Town of Canmore Community Standards Bylaw only allows bird feeders to be hung from December 1 to March 31. Click here for details.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
The first bears have been spotted near Banff and Parks Canada advises to brush up on you bear safety skills.
Last week a hiker encountered a cougar in K-Country prompting a warning.
Current Opportunities
We are seeking new volunteers to join our Board of Directors!
Please send your CV/resume to: board@biosphereinstitute.org by APRIL 7, 2023, to register your interest.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience in any of the following areas:
fund development in the non-profit sector (philanthropy)
non-profit governance and management
legal expertise
accounting
communications
Next Bear report will be on April 20, 2023!
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