Did you know that WildSmart is a program 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 SUMMARY (April 22-29, 2022)

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

Bear season is ON! There have been several confirmed grizzly bear sightings in the Bow Valley this week, and it is likely that there are at least four grizzzly bears in valley bottom near Canmore, as well as a number of black bears. Photos and reports of grizzly bear sightings have come from near the Engine Bridge, and throughout the south side of the valley between the Nordic Centre and Three Sisters. That being said, wildlife can be encountered anywhere, anytime and we always need to be prepared and vigilant out on the trails.

In addition to bears, numerous elk have been seen regularly throughout Canmore. Yesterday, a female elk jumped across a 6ft fence and charged at some people, stopping just short of making contact. With Elk Calving season coming up in May and June, some of these female elk are already starting to have a need for more personal space and have low tolerance for humans approaching them. This serves a a good reminder that we all need to remember to give wildlife space and be aware of our surroundings, even on busy trails in town.

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

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 multiple bears moving throughtout the valley, it is very important for the safety of you, your dog, other people, and the wildlife, that you keep your pets on a leash! These bears are trying to find food and much needed calories, and off-leash dogs force them to burn excess calories that they do not have! Other ways you can be a good neighbour include:

Make lots of noise out on the trails to alert wildlife to your presence
Travelling in a group, keep children close by and avoid heading out at dusk, dawn or night when wildlife are most active.
Giving Wildlife Space - Always stay a minimum of 30 metres (or 3 school bus lengths) from ungulates like deer, elk, moose and sheep and 100 metres (or 10 school bus lengths) from carnivores like bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes.
Be aware of your surroundings (look and listen for wildlife and their signs, including tracks and scat). This includes not wearing earbuds/headphones, which will limit your ability to hear approaching humans AND wildlife
Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, knowing how to use it and being prepared to use it.

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOm

"Busting Bear Myths" by Derek Ryder, Wildlife Ambassador

Myth#1: Bears are fearsome creatures that want to kill humans.

Fact: Bears generally care very little about humans until we bother them. When bothered, they react. Given that they are big (with sharp teeth and claws), their reactions can certainly appear fearsome. Bears don’t see people as food. Bears can, however, see people as threats. Ways we unwittingly threaten bears includes:

Getting between a mom and the cubs. To the mom, this looks like you’re trying to attack her cubs;
Approaching a bear on a carcass, or while feeding generally. To a bear, this looks like you’re trying to get their food;
"Suddenly” appearing. If a bear doesn’t know you’re coming, the fact that you’re suddenly there looks to the bear like you’re sneaking up on them, possibly to attack them.

One thing is sure: if we bother bears, and they get defensive and react, bears won’t stop until they are sure they won’t be bothered again. That means people being chased away, or attacked to neutralize the threat the bear perceives. Bears normally don’t want to kill or injure humans – unless we give them a reason to.

It is true that, occasionally, there are predatory attacks by bears on humans. Research says only about 10% of bear attacks are predatory, and almost all of those are by black bears. Bear attacks are pretty rare to begin with, so predatory attacks are rarer still.

Getting between a mom and her cubs is a common way that we unwittingly threaten bears.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

Watch this Global News segment discussing a video of a person disturbing a bear in its den. This type of behaviour puts the bear's life at risk, as well as other people. We always need to do our best to give wildlife the space they need and deserve!

Five black bears were found hibernating under a house in Lake Tahoe, California.
Watch this law-abiding bear look both ways before crossing the road (while using the crosswalk) in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Bears starting to wander near town serves as a reminder for residents to keep their yards free of wildlife attractants such as food, garbage, recycling, bird-feeders, pets, pet food and greasy bbq’s. For those who are not aware, the Town of Canmore has a Wildlife Attractant Bylaw. Residents can be fined for having wildlife attractants accumulate to the point that they attract dangerous wildlife to their yards.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

We are so proud of our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors who were recognized at the Mayor's Volunteer Celebration last night! Their dedication and passion does not go unnoticed and the Biosphere Institute (and local wildlife) would like to send out many hugs and thanks for their efforts to help keep people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley and beyond! #NVW2022

Events

The last webinar of our zero emission vehicle webinar series is coming up May 4: “The future is electric: The electric vehicle industry in Canada and beyond.”

Electric vehicles (EVs) are already here – but what is the current state of the EV industry across Canada and globally, and how is that impacting EVs in Alberta? William York of the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta will explore the challenges and opportunities of the industry today, what to expect in the future, and how you can play a role. Everyone is welcome at this free event.

Register here or click on the image below.

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

Bear Report - April 29, 2022