The Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country saw record numbers of visitors in 2020! Many of these visitors were experiencing our mountain landscapes for the first time and this trend will likely continue throughout the winter!
Help WildSmart provide education programs to ensure that everyone in the mountains is prepared to be safe around wildlife, and knows how to give wild animals the space they need to thrive. Together with our Wildlife Ambassadors, we hope to be able to educate people on the trails this winter.
Please consider a donation this Giving Tuesday.
Did you know that WildSmart relies entirely on donations and sponsors?
Click here to learn more about what we have achieved with your support.
Bear Update
There continue to be multiple sightings of bears in the Canmore area (on both sides of the valley) this week so keep your bear spray handy and don't get too complacent as they have not all gone into their dens yet! One bear left this present behind (see photo below) and after poking through the scat, his current diet appears to consist of:
Pumpkin seeds
Some kind of crabapple or cherry
Birdseed, including sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Kinnikinnik berries
Grasses
Most of the above are unnatural foods for bears (except Kinnikinnik berries and grasses) and are visible in the picture below. It is likely that the bear accessed these foods in backyards and denning for this bear will be delayed as long as it continues to access these food rewards (and if temperatures remain mild). You can help bears stay out of trouble and make it into their dens safely by ensuring all wildlife attractants have been removed or properly secured in your yard. This includes the above foods as well as greasy bbq’s, pet food, garbage and any fruit left on trees or on the ground.
Photo courtesy of Derek Ryder
Please remember WILDLIFE 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