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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 (June 27-July 4, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears continue to be seen regularly throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country along trails, roads, in and around town and in the valley bottoms where most of their available food is located. Summer is here and as more people head out into bear country to go camping, hiking and picnicking, not only are the roads getting busier, but there is an increased chance of bears and other wildlife accessing food and garbage that is improperly stored or left unattended.
A bold black bear was killed on June 29 at Spray West Campground. Conservation Officers had set traps to catch the bear that repeatedly wandered through campsites looking for food, despite campers yelling and shouting at it. The bear returned, even after being sprayed with bear spray, and took food directly from a picnic table that was occupied by people eating. This very bold action forced the Conservation Officers’ hand to kill it. Once a bear gets this heavily food-conditioned, there is no turning back and the only option left is to destroy it. Read more in this article: 'It was game over' for brazen black bear seeking campers' food in Kananaskis Country.
People need to mentally prepare themselves for encounters and remember to make lots of noise, travel in a group (ideally 4 or more), keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it in case of a close encounter. Knowing what to do when you encounter a bear is key! Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray.
It is important to remember that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in areas with an active warning or closure in place) so you should always be expecting to run into a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country!
A reminder that a warning gets put in place for an elevated risk of encounters, and closures are put in place to give bears space and protect the public - so please respect them!
Grizzly bear mom with three cubs in K-Country on June 27, 2024.
Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and always stay in your vehicle! Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear that is roadside. It stresses out and disturbs the bear, and is potentially dangerous for you, the bear and other motorists. To help give these bears the space they need to feed undisturbed, “No Stopping Zones” have been put in place along Highway 40 in K-Country. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. OBEY ALL NO STOPPING ZONES - they are there for a reason!
Elk calving season is winding down but that does not mean people should become complacent as mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened by people getting too close to their young! Be aware of your surroundings, even on popular and well visited trails around town and along the river. Never approach elk for any reason, stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM on a trail! Keep pets on a leash and it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride around Canmore.
Stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and never try to sneak past them!
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning: Elbow Lake and Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground due to multiple grizzly bears frequenting the area.
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
It is very important to properly manage wildlife attractants such as food and garbage while hiking, camping and at Day Use Areas. If you see garbage on the ground, pick it up and put it in a bear-proof bin. If the bin is full, take the garbage home with you, but never leave garbage on the ground.
Keep a BEAR FREE Campsite! Even open and closed beverage containers are considered a wildlife attractant. Bears will bite and puncture beer and pop cans to drink the contents as they contain a lot of calories and sugar! Attractants must be stored inside a hard-sided vehicle/trailer or locker, at night and when away during the day. Attractants include coolers, food, beverages, toiletries, pet food, garbage, recyclables and other scented items. Officials will remove unattended attractants if they are not stored correctly, and an enforcement action may follow!
Alberta Parks signage on picnic tables in campgrounds and day use areas to remind visitors about proper storage of wildlife attractants.
As mentioned earlier in this bear report, a black bear was killed due to being heavily food-conditioned and boldly approaching people in their campsites for food. It is such as shame that a bear had to lose its life but there was no other option. How did the bear get to this point? It likely had accessed food rewards from campsites for several years now. Here are some key takeaways and tips to help prevent this from happening again:
Always have your bear spray ready and available, just in case you get any unwanted four-legged visitors. Carry bear spray with you in an easily accessible location at all times.
Remind your children that they are in bear country and to stay close to the campsite and adults.
Never leave food unattended, even for a minute. Always be extra vigilant in securing your food and other items that attract wildlife, even when you are still at your campsite or picnic area.
Food and other scented items need to be stored inside a hard-sided vehicle/trailer or locker, at night and when you’re away during the day.
Do not let bears and other wildlife get any food rewards as a Fed Bear is a Dead Bear! If you are sitting at your table eating and a bear starts approaching your food and table. Do your best to deter the bear by yelling and/or using your bear spray to prevent it from getting your food. If safe to do so, try moving your food into your hard-sided vehicle/trailer or locker nearby to prevent the bear from getting that food reward. Your safety and the bear’s life might depend on it!
We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas and campsites, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or reason to linger!
Bold black bear cruising the campsites looking for food at Spray West Campground on June 28, 2024.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
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 in this edition of What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Vetch.
Ask most folks what a bear’s favourite food is, and “berries” are always among the top answers. But it’s not berry season yet, and won’t be until later this month. The Dandelions are starting to go away (even in my neighbour’s yard). Between the end of Dandelion season & the core of berry season, bears start to take advantage of the roots of the fresh growing plants.
One of the plant families they like is the pea family. The common name of the most popular food is Sweet-Vetch, with the Latin family name Hedysarum. Grizzlies LOVE to dig for the roots of these plants, especially in the spring and fall outside of berry season. In central BC, where there are fewer berries, studies have shown Hedysarum is actually their main summer food source. The picture below is of Hedysarum. Like most patches of Hedysarum you’ll find in the alpine, it had old bear digs next to it. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Vetch!
Click on this image of Vetch (Hedysarum) to read the full article!
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 at Troll Falls and Centennial Park in Canmore on Canada Day. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.
July 6 - Elbow Lake & Troll Falls in Kananskis Country.
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!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
'It was game over' for brazen black bear seeking campers' food in Kananaskis Country.
Feedback sought on recreational trails strategy for Canmore-area.
What a trip to see grizzly bears taught me about patience.
Bear caught in B.C. grease trap a ‘heartbreaking’ warning, advocates say.
Edmonton city councillors will explore tougher regulations on the sale of bear spray.
Cougar spotted on Red Deer park trail.
UPDATE: 3 bears killed in wake of grizzly attack on Haines Junction resident in Yukon.
Bothell neighbors 'mesmerized' by black bear munching on birdseed in backyard.
Official says security cam photo taken in Northern Ontario appears to be a cougar.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Depending on the weather, buffaloberries will start to ripen in the next 1-2 weeks. Please be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. Leaving fruit in your trees can attract bears into residential areas, putting bears and people at risk. Your tree blossoms will blossom into bear problems later! It is your responsibility to make sure that bears do not have a reason to linger in your yard, resulting in bears being relocated or destroyed.
Shepherdia canadensis, more commonly known as Buffaloberry. First berry starting to ripen near the Engine Bridge in Canmore on July 4, 2024!
In an effort to reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore, the Town of Canmore is running their voluntary fruit tree removal incentive program again. Homeowners are invited to express their interest in participating in the program which will cover 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. The program is first-come first-served while funds are available. Click here for more details.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
What an honour! Our very own Heidi Widmer was awarded the ‘Citizen of the Year’ award from the Rotary Club of Canmore for her work with the Future Leaders Youth Council, a program of the Biosphere Institute. Learn more about the Youth Council’s work by clicking here. It might be Heidi’s name on the award, but it is the inspiring dedication of the students who give it meaning. A huge Congratulations to Heidi and the Future Leaders Youth Council on receiving recognition in their community!
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hiring a part-time Financial Controller. This is a continuous intake process and we’ll hold interviews with suitable candidates during July 2024. Work and onboarding will commence during the summer months. The work schedule will be flexible and we anticipate that this work will occupy an average of ten hours per month.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Canmore Area Trails Strategy Engagement
Alberta Forestry and Parks has launched engagement towards the development of a Canmore Area Trails Strategy (CATS). The public, trail users, Indigenous communities and local interests are invited to provide input into the development of the strategy. The CATS is focused on trails on Crown land (parks and public lands) but will consider trail connections and connectivity with trails managed by other municipal partners and nearby jurisdictions. Read this article to learn more about the CATS Engagement process.
Engagement on the CATS will occur in two phases. The first, active from June 24 until July 22, 2024, will include a survey on the draft terms of reference and interactive mapping activity to collect feedback that will be used to inform development of the draft strategy. A second engagement phase of engagement will occur later this year to hear feedback on the draft strategy. For more information about the project’s engagement, please click here to visit their webpage.
Your feedback is welcome! The engagement phase strives to develop an overarching plan that will guide future planning and design of trails in the Canmore area, while protecting valuable ecosystems.
The interactive mapping activity can be accessed by clicking here.
Both activities are open until 4:00 PM on July 22, 2024.
We support the visionary work of Alberta Forestry and Parks in its bid to create a Canmore Area Trails Strategy: the Bow Valley Wildlands are precious, and it is imperative that they be properly managed to protect the natural values, fauna, and flora of this wonderful valley we call home.
July 20 - Parks Day 2024!
Join Alberta Parks staff for their Parks Day celebration on Saturday July 20 from 11am-2pm at Boulton Bridge Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
This free family friendly public event will have a variety of talks, games, interactive displays, a LIVE Interpretive Show, guided bear walks and cake eating! Our Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there with their hands-on interactive booth. Come on by, learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use, managing wildlife attractants, and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence. Click here for the schedule of events and 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 Dispatch at 403.591.7755