Did you know that WildSmart is one of three programs 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 (May 2-9, 2024)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Bear activity has picked up this week resulting in an increase in bear sightings throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country. There were several bear sightings in and around Canmore in residential areas this past week and the upcoming warm weather will likely result in more sightings this weekend.
When using the trails, people should be thinking about bears and expecting encounters so that they are mentally prepared to properly handle those encounters. Make lots of noise to alert bears to your presence, travel in a group keeping kids close by, keep pets on a leash and carry bear spray in an accessible location, and know how to use it!
Numerous elk continue to be seen in and around Canmore and with elk calving season starting any day now, people are reminded never to approach elk for any reason! Mother elk can become very protective of their calves, aggressively kicking or charging if they feel threatened. The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths, and not try to sneak past them!
Photo taken on May 3, 2022 in Kananaskis Country.
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
With the upcoming warm weather, the ditches along the highways will start greening up which is going to draw all kinds of wildlife roadside looking for that green grass! Remember to obey speed limits and slow down if you see wildlife by the road, but please do not stop to view wildlife. Always remain in your vehicle and stay at least 100m away. Remember to obey all “No Stopping Signs” and if you see one animal be prepared to see more and adjust your speed accordingly. Other wildlife such as coyotes, deer, elk and sheep are also feeding roadside right now so extra caution is needed. Please travel safely and help protect our wildlife (and yourselves) by slowing down, especially during dawn, dusk and at night!
The presence of newborn elk calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal. 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. Always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it and keep your pets on a leash.
A coyote seen near Silvertip Golf Club on April 25, 2024.
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 Grassi Lakes and Troll Falls. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.
Saturday, May 11 - Cougar Creek Parking Lot in Canmore and Wasootch
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!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
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. In this series of articles each month, written by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, we’re going to look at what bears are eating right now, and for the next few weeks.
Bears are omnivores, but while they love the ability to get a good protein source like an elk or a deer, almost 80% of a bear’s diet is fruits and vegetables. This is true of both grizzly bears and black bears in the Bow Valley. Most people know that bears love berries, but it isn’t berry season in May. So what ARE bears eating this month? Research on bear diets clearly shows that an early season food source are the new, fresh shoots of the Horsetail family of plants. To a bear, all members of the Horsetail family are just good eats. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Horsetails!
Click on this image of Horsetails to read the full article!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Experts feel 'Wildlife paparazzi' is putting pressure on Banff's grizzly bears.
Cochrane man saved from grizzly bear attack by dog.
Bear sighting in Calgary prompts park and trail closures.
Black bear pays late-night visit to office supply store in Pincher Creek.
Grizzly’s sweet dance moves caught on Trail Cam in Alberta.
Hungry bear rips through garage door of B.C. home to get to garbage can.
Family of bears goes viral for frequent takeovers of backyard pool in California.
What a silly goose! Fight for a Banff osprey nest.
Black bear steals golf clubs from B.C. man's golf cart.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Workplace Inclusion Charter: Silver Status!
The Biosphere Institute is thrilled to announce that we achieved Silver Status with the Workplace Inclusion Charter and are one of the newest members of the Bow Valley Pride Network! We look forward to continuing this work with Bow Valley Immigration Partnership and our fellow community organizations!
Pictured from L to R: Meagan Reid (Bow Valley Immigration Partnership) and Tanya Pacholok (Biosphere Institute).
Happy Mother’s Day!
We know we have shared this video with you before, but in honour of upcoming Mother’s Day and all the amazing mothers out there, hopefully this video puts a smile on your face and makes you think about how hard it is for mother bears to keep themselves and their cubs safe in this dangerous world. This video does an excellent job of vocalizing what it can be like to be a parent, specifically a mother. It is hard work taking care of four cubs for a mother bear and if you add to that cars speeding and people stopping to take pictures and stressing them out, it makes it even harder. It is pawsitive to see these cars waiting patiently while she struggles to get her cubs across safely!
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 11 - Share the Trails
Join hosts Alberta Equestrian Federation and the Bow Valley Riding Association for their Second Annual 'Share the Trails' event this Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cougar Creek parking lot in Canmore!
Local outdoor recreation organizations will be on site for informal conversations on how we can collectively enjoy Alberta's public trails. Let's collaborate on how to safely, responsibly, and sustainably share the area with the wildlife in the fragile corridor at Indian Flats. Whether you're on horseback, two wheels, with hiking poles, or walking your furry friend, you’ll find information at this Share the Trails event. Alongside the volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, WildSmart will be there with a booth and we look forward to chatting with you! Event partners include: The Alpine Club of Canada, Canmore & Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.
May 13 - Earth Talks: Climate engineering: restoration ecology or another step to a dystopian technofuture?
Spots filling up fast! Join us with Dr. David Keith at the Canmore Public Library for his Earth Talks presentation on Monday, May 13th in the Friends Program Room at 7:00pm.
Geoengineering considers dispersing particles into the Earth’s atmosphere to slow global warming. Dr. Keith will share his work around geoengineering and carbon removal, considering both climate science and environmental politics, and answer questions from attendees.
This talk is FREE and registration is required to attend in-person - Click here to register now!
For those who are not able to attend in-person, you can join online via Zoom by clicking here. (Registration is not required when viewing via Zoom).
May 22 - Bear Aware Online
Join the Town of Banff and Parks Canada in an interactive Bear Aware session that will have you learning how to be safe in bear country. The 60-minute webinar will be led by two Parks Canada wildlife specialists and includes a presentation on how to identify different types of bears, common bear behaviours and tools and tips to prevent bear encounters. This FREE online session is on Wednesday, May 22 from 7-8pm. Click here to register online!
June 1 - Green Buildings Open House
This year’s Green Buildings Open House tour has ten homes across the Bow Valley, including Passive House construction, deep energy retrofits, geo-exchange systems, biomass district energy and a net zero home. All that along with solar, electric vehicles and more!
Bring your friends; we’ll see you on the FREE tour on Saturday, June 1! You can visit any of the properties at your leisure. View the properties and plan your tour by clicking here!
Volunteers Needed: Green Buildings Open House
In addition to hosting the event, we are still looking for volunteers for a variety of responsibilities at the Green Buildings Open House event. Click the button below to find out more and sign-up!
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