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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 SUMMARY (Sep.1-9, 2022)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Black bears continue to be seen regularly in residential areas in Canmore (on both sides of the valley) and in the M.D. of Bighorn hamlets. Some of the bear warnings have been removed in some of the park facilities due to berries being picked clean, vegetation management or the berries have dropped off. That being said, anywhere where berries are still to be found you can expect to see bears.
A black bear got into garbage in the downtown core of Canmore! It is up to all of us to make sure bears are not able to access human food so don’t get complacent and be sure to properly secure all wildlife attractants.
Food is still constantly on a bear’s mind and they are very focused on eating as much food as possible in advance of their upcoming winter hibernation. They are choosing easy meals such as human attractants (garbage, pet food & human food) and have also been feeding in fruit trees, namely Crabapple, Choke Cherry, Dogwood and Mountain Ash, in yards across town. They have also been seen walking along the streets (even streets very close to downtown) which poses a public safety risk. Bears in yards and on streets can easily encounter unsuspecting kids playing in backyards, parks and commuting to and from school. Removing the fruit from your trees will help keep people safe and could save a bear’s life!
Archive photo of a black bear in a yard in Canmore. Photo by Lisanne Mol.
The elk rutting season has begun so you may hear some loud bugling! Male elk are particularly protective of the female elk they are with and they may become aggressive towards anything that comes too close. Elk frequently hang out in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town. An idea for parents: have a conversation with your children about giving wildlife lots of space and calmly leaving the area if they see elk or other wildlife. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths), never get between a male elk and the female elk, and keep pets on a leash. Remember to carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, consider using your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk. Never approach elk up close as they are wild animals that can react unpredictably!
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 our responsibility to give bears the space they need to feed undisturbed. Please stay out of closed areas and avoid areas where bears have been seen, or where active warnings are in place! You can also do your part by making lots of noise to alert bears of your presence, travelling in groups, keeping pets on a leash and being aware of your surroundings by not wearing earbuds or headphones.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Seven bears euthanized in Crowsnest Pass following human interactions.
The elk rut is underway in the Bow Valley.
Watch a Montana wedding ceremony get interrupted by a grizzly bear killing and eating a moose calf.
The rescuer of the young boy who was attacked by a cougar last month speaks about the attack.
Read about a recent grizzly encounter in Montana that is a testimonial for the effectiveness of bear spray.
Jasper officials are reminding residents and visitors to remove wildlife attractants as bears were found napping on roofs and munching on fruit.
A black bear broke into a California home and had a full meal.
A black bear was spotted wandering around Newmarket, ON, north of Toronto last weekend.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Once again, here are some important reminders about fruit trees for Canmore residents:
Leaving fruit (such as crabapple, mountain ash, chokecherry and dogwood) in your trees can attract bears into residential areas, creating a hazard for people and the children in those neighbourhoods, and also to the bear that may need to be relocated or destroyed if it continues seeking out residential fruit trees.
As per the new Community Standards Bylaw, residents can be fined for letting fruit and other wildlife attractants accumulate in their yards. Fines can range between $250 to $10,000. To find out more you can download the Community Standards Bylaw here.
Canmore has a Voluntary Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program - instead of picking the fruit every year, remove the tree and swap it for something that doesn’t pose a hazard to bears and people.
Removing the fruit from trees in your yard is recommended, but removing the fruit tree itself is the best practice. Fruit trees can be replaced with ornamental, non-fruit bearing trees, that produce beautiful blossoms but are not wildlife attractants.
For those residents who are hesitant to replace their fruit trees, bears that get into fruit trees can cause extensive damage to the trees (as shown below) with the end result of the tree dying and often having to be replaced anyways.
If you can’t reach that fruit up in the tree, no problem! We have extendable fruit pickers and extendable pole saw pruners that can be borrowed free of charge (donations are welcome). Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit picking equipment.
Picked fruit can be put in the residential food waste bins around town. Leaves, branches and clippings can be put in the appropriate bins at the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot.
You can also use your crabapples to make delicious jams, jellies and baked goods and liqueurs.
Check out the Alberta BearSmart Fruit Trees and Bears fact sheet for more info!
BEFORE…
AFTER…This is what can happen if you don’t remove the fruit!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
There are many reasons to keep your dog on a leash. Wildlife Ambassador Derek talks about one you may not have thought about: your off-leash pooch is a threat to ground birds like grouse.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
With all the bears in town feeding in fruit trees it is great to see that some residents are being proactive and borrowing our extendable fruit pickers and extendable pole saw pruners to remove the fruit from their trees! This is a story we shared a year ago which is still very applicable right now with all the bears in town feeding in fruit trees:
From Sep.2, 2021 - Unfortunately, the owner and tenant of this property weren’t quick enough to prevent a bear getting into this crabapple tree in Canmore this week. Instead of getting frustrated, the neighbours all got involved to help remove the apples! We’re inspired by this act of community!
Let’s all use this as an opportunity to talk with our friends and neighbours about this issue. Perhaps they didn’t know that the Biosphere Institute has tools available to borrow for free - like our extendable pole saws + pruner or crabapple pickers. If they need a hand, maybe you could offer to help? We encourage you all to spread the word about our tool-lending library so we can all work together and help keep bears out of trouble!
Click on the image to view a video of the bear in this fruit tree.
For those of you who have crabapples but do not know what to do with them, look no further. The team at Core Values Cider Co. is holding a fruit drive this Fall and will be happy to take them off your hands. Drop offs can be made at their cidery (located at 1402 Railway Ave.) during normal business hours. Pickup services are available. For more info please contact Core Values Cider Co. at info@corevaluescider.ca or by phone at 403-679-1578.
UPCOMING EVENTS
test drive an electric vehicle IN CANMORE!
Biosphere Institute has brought the Plug ‘n’ Drive Mobile Electric Vehicle Education Trailer (MEET) to Canmore! This is a hub for electric vehicle education and awareness, and there are free, bookable test drives available. Click here for dates and information!
Show Quarry Lake some love after a long season of picnics, dog walks, and long summer days spent swimming with friends and family. From 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Quarry Lake on Sunday, Sept. 25 2022 join Bow Valley WildSmart, Bow Valley SPCA, and your local Canmore Municipal Enforcement Officers at the Love Your Lake Community Clean Up! Lend a hand and park for free (if you don’t have a free resident’s pass). Register at the welcome tent for a temporary parking pass. Check-in at the pathway nearest to the parking lot. For details, visit: www.canmore.ca/loveyourlake
Learn about how to keep people and wildlife safe through simple actions such as keeping dogs on-leash, staying on designated trails, carrying bear spray and managing attractants in your backyard.
Dog walkers can come and test their quick draw skills at our dog on-leash bear spray challenge (with inert bear spray).
BANFF ISN’T DISPOSABLE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Biosphere Institute has officially partnered with Banff Isn’t Disposable to expand this reusable takeout container program to the Bow Valley. We are thrilled about this opportunity to build the circular economy in both Canmore and Banff!
We need volunteers in Banff for the rest of the market season. At your shift, expect to promote zero waste, talk with the public, and hang out with like-minded people.
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