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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 (Oct.31-Nov.7, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bears are still out and the odd sighting continues to be reported in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, including an appearance by “The Boss” in Canmore on Nov.3. A few collared female grizzly bears appear to have denned, and others are close and remain at or near their den sites. That being said, other collared (and non-collared) grizzlies continue to be seen moving around at lower elevations searching for last minute calories. Remote camera and collar data have shown that some males like to stay out on the landscape into mid-December, and even into January (for instance “The Boss” is often seen along the Great Divide ski trail by Lake Louise until at least the New Year).
With this in mind, it is important that we don’t become complacent when heading out on the trails and that we are mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife! Remember to carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and use it if required.
Unfortunately, there has been an uptick in Bighorn sheep getting killed by vehicles on Hwy 1A and Highway 40 over the last couple of weeks. Sheep are down licking salt on the roads leaving them vulnerable to vehicle strikes. Drivers need to take extra care and heed warning when they see wildlife signage showing wildlife on the road and remember to drive carefully, obey speed limits, and scan for wildlife that may be feeding or lingering roadside. Motorists need to be extra alert (especially at dawn and dusk) as the days are getting shorter and the number of darkness hours are increasing.
One of the largest male grizzly bears from Banff National Park, aka “The Boss”, ventured east on Nov.3 and was seen eating crabapples during the day in Harvie Heights. Later that evening, he continued east and several residents, especially dog-walkers, were surprised and shocked to see the large bruin cruising down the streets of the Cougar Creek neighbourhood in Canmore. WATCH THIS VIDEO of the “The Boss” causing a stir in Canmore. Municipal enforcement officers monitored the bear as it was travelling through town and reported it was not accessing wildlife attractants and was not acting aggressive. The large grizzly bear safely wandered back through Harvie Heights on Monday morning (Nov.4) heading westbound into Banff National Park again.
Let this be a wakeup call for residents that:
Bears are still out and about, so always carry bear spray when out walking!
It is crucial to make sure you do not have any attractants such as fruit (on trees and on the ground), garbage, pet food, bird feeders, compost, greasy bbqs and pumpkins on your property! You don't want to be responsible for drawing a bear like the Boss into town and getting him into trouble...not to mention the potential public safety concerns.
The whole community has a responsibility in removing wildlife attractants to keep people and wildlife safe!
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING WILDLIFE: Many people believe that reporting a bear in town, especially your backyard, is a death sentence for that bear. The truth is quite the opposite. By not reporting a bear, you are allowing the bear to learn bad behaviours (such as feeding in fruit trees, lingering in backyards, feeding at bird feeders, eating pet food, eating garbage etc.) and you teach the bear that it is OK to come into town and eat unnatural food sources - when in fact it is not OK and it will eventually lead to its death.
If you want to help save bears, report all sightings of bears in town! ***Please share this message with your friends, family, and neighbours!***
The Boss in Harvie Heights on Nov.3, 2024.
The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen all throughout town which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep your pets on a leash.
Bow hunting season is open in the Bow Valley. Due to the nature of the activity, hunters need to be cautious as they are intentionally quiet on the landscape and they should always be carrying bear spray. If you are recreating, please remain alert of your surroundings and avoid dead animals.
Elk grazing at the Canmore Recreation Centre on Oct.25, 2024.
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
Even though the bears have or will enter their dens soon, there are still many species that do not hibernate (i.e. cougars, wolves, coyotes, deer and elk). Every time you head out on the trails you need to be vigilant and mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife! Here are some simple things you can do to stay safe on the trails:
Stay on designated trails so that we are more predictable for wildlife
Make lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to avoid surprise encounters, and give them time to move off of the trail
Avoid recreating at dusk, dawn or at night, which is when cougars and other wildlife are most active
Be aware of your surroundings by periodically checking behind you to make sure there are no animals following you and by not wearing earbuds/headphones, which will limit your ability to hear approaching wildlife
It is safer to hike, bike, run, or ski in a group. Not only are you more intimidating for wildlife, you will also make more noise
Think about carrying some sort of satellite communications device in case of an emergency
Surprise defensive encounters happen very quickly so it is very important that you know how to use bear spray and that you are able to pull it out and deploy it in under 3 seconds! This requires lots of practice and you need to carry bear spray YEAR-ROUND in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack)! Bear spray is also effective against wildlife which are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk and should be carried along well-travelled trails in and around town.
KEEP DOGS ON-LEASH as it could save your life, your dog’s life and a bear’s life! Also remember to pick up after your dogs as their feces can act as an attractant for wildlife.
Off-leash dogs continue to be a big problem in the Bow Valley and we are constantly looking for new and creative ways to reach those folks. Here is a great sign from Whistler B.C. using a different approach that will hopefully get more people to keep their pets on a leash…
Another approach to getting people to keep their dogs on-leash. Signage from Whistler B.C.
Connected: A Parks Canada Podcast is available on major podcast streaming platforms. This new educational tool that Parks Canada recently published, has one season with six episodes. Each episode is about a different species at risk in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, and features an interview with the specialists who work in the parks. The episode list includes the grizzly bear, westslope cutthroat trout, black swift, wolverine, whitebark pine, and little brown bat. CLICK HERE for more information and a list of episodes.
This week we are featuring the fifth episode about Whitebark Pine - Description: Stand beside a whitebark pine and appreciate the views. These hardy trees grow on mountain tops and support other plants and animals in surprising ways. Will they continue this legacy, or be killed by a widespread fungal disease? Join the conversation with Allison Fisher and Charlie McLellan, experts on whitebark pine.
Whitebark Pine cone caging in Kootenay National Park. Photo credit Parks Canada.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek talks about how we should visit the mountains with respect as it’s not REALLY our backyard!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Town of Canmore investigating after grizzly bear, The Boss, drawn to backyard fruit tree.
Trap set in Calgary's Fish Creek Park after black bear spotted nearby.
Bear steals Halloween candy off porch, leaves with a pumpkin in Connecticut.
Alberta government removes trapping limits for wolverines.
Mountain lion seems to be ‘seeing stars’ after dog owner kicks it in Boulder, Colorado.
Pumpkin Pilfering Bear Munches On Fall Treat in Boulder, Colorado.
Remains of beloved grizzly bear returned to national park.
Uptick in bear sightings prompts policy shift from conservation to control in Japan.
Shocking moment bear smacks woman in the face on restaurant patio in Mexico.
Agony of bear hit by car goes viral in Malaysia, prompting calls for animal crossings.
Bear sighting spooks trick-or-treaters in Massachusetts neighborhood.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports above-average number of bear conflicts this year.
Grizzly bear chases Alaskan snowmobiler.
Two orphaned black bear cubs released back into Alberta wilderness.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
If you have not already done so, please dispose of your pumpkins properly and do not leave them outside inviting them to get smashed up by pranksters or eaten by wildlife. You don’t want to attract a visitor to your door after Halloween like in this video. In Canmore, pumpkins should be disposed of in the bear-proof Residential Food Waste Containers and remember to remove candles and other non-organic decorations! IMPORTANT: Do not leave pumpkins on the ground next to bins if they are full! In Canmore. Call 403.678.1580 if you see a bin that needs to be emptied. In Banff, if the bins are full, call 403.762.1240 or report it online at banff.ca/action.
Please dispose of your pumpkins properly. DO NOT leave them out in your yard!
The recent visit to Canmore by “The Boss” should be a wakeup call for residents who don't want to be responsible for drawing bears into town and getting them into trouble! The Bow Valley needs your help to ensure the safety of both people and bears!
If you have a fruit tree, such as a crabapple (including ornamental crabapples), mountain ash or chokecherry - picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree, and in Canmore you can get cash back for removing fruit trees from your yard! There is still plenty of money remaining in the budget this year for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program so we urge you to consider removing your fruit tree now while the funds are available!
A not so little present left behind by “The Boss” on Nov.4, 2024. Definitely some fruit in there…
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
On November 6, as part of the national “Take our Kids to Work day” where students can learn about various workplaces, we were lucky enough to get Ella, a ninth grade student from École Notre Dame des Monts in Canmore, to join our Future Leaders team! Ella is very interested in the work of the Biosphere Institute, in particular the Future Leaders and WildSmart programs, and was keen to learn more about the work we do and how we do it. After a morning of reviewing life-cycles and animal traits, she was eager to jump into a teacher role and co-deliver a lesson. The grade 1’s at École Notre Dame des Monts loved the game Ella came up with, where they were challenged to match a young animal with their adult counterpart. Congratulations on your great teaching debut, Ella!
Ella (in black toque) in action teaching the Grade 1 students at École Notre Dame des Monts about life-cycles and animal traits.
Back row: Ella on the left and Jackie on the right.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 15 - Biosphere Institute’s 3rd Annual Community Square Dance Fundraiser!
Over 80% of tickets sold…Get your Square Dance ticket today before we sell out! The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley invites you to join us for some boot stompin' fun at our third annual Square Dance Community Fundraiser! The most fun you can have with your boots on...
Friday, November 15, 2024
Doors open: 6:30 PM at the Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore
Dance begins at 7:30 PM and runs until late.
General Admission: $45+processing fees
Enter Discount code CANMORE5 to save $5
Silent auction, draw prizes and more! All profits go to supporting the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. All are welcome! We welcome young and old cowboys, cowgirls, and cowpals!
Curious what the event is like? Check out this awesome video from last year by Greg Monforton!
November 24 - Melodies for a Resilient Future: Jasper Benefit Concert
Join us for a fun evening of musical entertainment and engaging speakers to raise funds for Jasper Wildfire relief. Click here for tickets.
Presented in partnership with Scott Diehl and Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, 100% of the evening's proceeds go to the Jasper Community Team Society to benefit Jasper fire victims.
Digital Hobo and Friends will provide fun and evocative live music. Songs about community, hope and adaptation during these days of rapidly changing climate. Enjoy new songs from the 2025 release Climate Stories.
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