Bear Report - May 30, 2024

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The information below is 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 23-30, 2024)

(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

This week there have been many sightings of both grizzly and black bears throughout the Bow Valley, including near residential areas, and in Kananaskis Country. There have also been almost daily reports of multiple bears on the golf courses in and around Canmore; even golfers should be carrying bear spray and giving wildlife space! In addition, several family groups of bears have 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 bears and wildlife space includes slowing down (not stopping) when driving past bears feeding along the roadside and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures.

Avoid surprise encounters by making lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to give them time to move off of the trail. People should always be prepared to encounter bears throughout the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys. If you know of or have heard of bear activity in a given area, please consider recreating elsewhere!

There have also been several cougar sightings in the Redwood Meadows area (near Bragg Creek) at unusual times (i.e. broad daylight and busy residential areas). Remember to keep to pets on a leash, keep children close by, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it.

 

Black bear sauntering through the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood last weekend. Photo by Monica Tos.

 

Aggressive mother elk charging at people getting too close to their calves are being encountered daily in Canmore! Elk calving Season runs from May-June 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. Never approach elk for any reason! 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!

IMPORTANT: 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. 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. Always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it and keep your pets on a leash. Bear spray should be carried while recreating on the local trails in and around Canmore!

An elk closure has been put in place near the Engine Bridge in Canmore to give a mother elk and calf space and keep people safe. Stay clear of this area and give this female elk with a calf in the area that has been charging at multiple groups of people plenty of space!

Map showing the elk closure on the south half of the Canmore Engine Bridge Island in the Canmore. Effective date: May 29, 2024

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

There are a few more area closures for wildlife management. The public should always check these bulletins and respect temporary closures put in place to protect people and wildlife!

 
 

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

OFF LEASH DOGS!

We have been hearing many reports of off-leash dogs on the trails in the Bow Valley and it seems particularly bad this year. What makes this situation even worse is that many off-leash dog owners are responding to concerned citizens who are politely asking them to please put their dogs on a leash, with hositility and reluctance. A common response from these off-leash dog owners is to “mind your own business.” That could not be further from the truth because IT IS OUR BUSINESS!

Everyone has the right to use the trails in the Bow Valley. However, this type of “entitled” response and aggressive behaviour from some off-leash dog owners is unacceptable. The fact that residents are afraid to use the trails in their own backyard due to the fear of either being bitten or attacked by an off-leash dog and yelled at by an aggressive off-leash dog owner is also unacceptable. This fear of off-leash dogs and their owners is forcing people to find new areas to walk just to feel safe. What gives these off-leash dog owners the right to treat people this way? Be a good “unselfish” neighbour and keep your pets on a leash!

  • Keep your pet on a leash and under physical control at all times. Not only is it the law, it is important for the safety of the pet, the owner, other people and their pets and for the safety of the wildlife that live here.

  • Off-leash dogs can cause stress for wildlife and trigger aggressive behaviour from wildlife such as grizzly bears and elk.

  • As a pet owner it is YOUR responsibility to pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste in a wildlife-proof garbage bin.

  • Here is a great video from Parks Canada about the importance of keeping your pets on a leash.

 

Some great signage from Whistler B.C. to try and get people to keep their dogs on-leash.

 

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

Wildlife Ambassador Derek discussing how your off-leash dog is a threat!

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! You can find them talking to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Last weekend they were out at the 2024 Women's Soap Run at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.

June 1 - Calgary Search and Rescue Outdoor Show (see Upcoming Event section below) and the Highway 40 Road Closure near Highwood Pass in K-Country.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many factors. From signs that bears are around to what to do in a bear encounter, there is always something to learn. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: this is their living area, dining area, and even their bathroom. 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 (bear berry).

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

The Town of Canmore is taking action to make our community safer for people and wildlife. Removing fruit trees from our community is one of the key recommendations identified in The Human Wildlife Coexistence Implementation and Action Plan since fruit trees attract hungry bears which puts our community at risk.

They are leading by example by removing fruit trees on public land, including parks and road rights-of-ways. This process will take time. With over 400 trees identified on their public property, they are taking a staged approach over the next five years project to remove target species in five priority areas. Crews will begin surveying priority areas in downtown and South Canmore this Spring to identify target trees. You can take action by removing fruit trees from your property. Learn about the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program to get cash back for removing fruit trees.

 

Photo of a grizzly bear feasting on crabapples in Quesnel, B.C. Courtesy of Julie Dorge (@juliedorgephotography)

 

Current Opportunities

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hiring a Community Engagement Intern that will support a variety of our programs and events throughout the summer in the beautiful Bow Valley! This will be a full-time position from July 2-August 30, 2024 (flexible). Click here for the full job description and eligibility requirements!

To apply for this position, please send a single pdf file containing a cover letter and resume to tanya@biosphereinstitute.org before midnight on June 2, 2024 with “Community Engagement Intern Application” in the subject line of the email.

 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 1 - Calgary Search and Rescue Outdoor Show

Our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors will be at this great event in Calgary with their hands-on interactive wildlife display! Come on by and learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence!

 
 

June 1 - Green Buildings Open House

It's happening this weekend! This year’s Green Buildings Open House tour has ten properties to visit across the Bow Valley on Saturday, June 1 from 11am-4pm!

View the properties and plan your tour by clicking here!

This is an open-house tour. When the homes are open, you can make your own way there, and the homeowners and volunteers will show you around. You do not need to register in advance for the tour unless you wish to tour the Spring Creek site in Canmore, where registration for a specific tour time is mandatory. Register for a Spring Creek specific tour time here!

 
 

Canmore Brew Co. June Charity Tap!

Throughout the month of June, our friends at the Canmore Brewing Company will be donating 50% of the profits of their featured charity tap to the Biosphere Institute! We are so grateful for this partnership and look forward to hosting a few events there throughout the month:

 
 

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 Dispatch at 403.591.7755