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!
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (Dec.4, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There have not been any recent bear sightings in the Bow Valley, but with the warm(ish) weather, there continue to be bear sightings in Kananaskis Country, and GPS data is showing that at least one female grizzly bear still has not gone into her den. The bears that are still moving out on the landscape will have one thing on their mind: food! These bears may be distracted while they forage, so they may easily be startled. It is important to stay bear aware and always be mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife!
A Bear Closure was also recently put in place in K-Country: Bear Closure - Kent Ridge North and James Walker Drainage in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (including Mount Chesmill, Mount Inflexible, Mount James Walker Access) due to a grizzly bear denning in the area.
Trail users should carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location (not in backpacks), make lots of noise, try to recreate in a group (as opposed to going out alone), always be aware of their surroundings (i.e. look for tracks & scat in the snow), and try to recreate during daylight hours, as wildlife such as cougars are most active at dawn, dusk and at night. This can be tricky during the winter months as darkness comes earlier than usual...so always carry a good head-lamp (just in case), and do your best to go out in a group as there is safety in numbers! It is also best to keep your dogs on a leash and if you are not able to do that, consider leaving them at home to give tired elk and deer some peace and quiet and time to recover from the busy and stressful rutting season.
Bear spray is also effective against wildlife that are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk. The recent snow and forecasted colder weather will likely encourage any bears still out on the landscape to go into their winter dens but remember that some male bears might stay out of their dens until mid-December, and even into January.
Grizzly bears such as this one could still be out and about on the landscape!
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. If an elk charges, position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk or consider using bear spray.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Please report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in the Bow Valley or K-Country to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. In Banff, call Dispatch at 403.762.1470. They prefer to get the reports first hand from the people who see the wildlife!
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Factors Influencing Bear Spray Performance
Bear spray should be carried year-round but with the cold weather we often get asked about the effect of colder temperatures on bear spray performance.
In a 2020 publication in the Journal of Wildlife Management, scientists examined the effects of temperature, wind, canister age, and repeated use on bear spray performance. The main takeaway is that bear spray is an important and effective deterrence tool in all areas where bears occur, even if it is windy or cold!
Temperature: Specifically, they tested bear spray in temperatures ranging from -23C to +25 C. In all cases they achieved a spray distance of four meters or more. At the lowest temperature tested (−23°C), bear spray had a range greater than 4 meters.
Wind: Even when used in the highest winds (~22mph or 35 kmph) coming directly towards the nozzle, the spray still reached 2 meters (the average distance of spray deployment in real incidents).
Canister Age/Repeated Use: When looking at repeated use, or test firing of bear spray, they found that approximately 50% of canister head pressure is lost during the first 1 second of spray use or greater. Finally, when examining the effect of time, the canisters lost about 1 gram of propellant for every year of age, supporting manufacturers' 4-year expiration dates.
Based on the results of this paper, they recommend the following guidelines:
Do not test‐fire cans intended for use in the field
Keep canisters warm when in the cold, tucking them inside a parka or sleeping bag
Retire canisters of bear spray when they are expired
Source: Smith, T.S., Wilder, J.M., York, G., Obbard, M.E. and Billings, B.W. (2020), An Investigation of Factors Influencing Bear Spray Performance. Journal of Wildlife Management. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21958
HAVE YOUR SAY on the draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan!
Alberta Forestry and Parks (AFP) has launched public engagement on the draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan (previously titled the Canmore Area Trails Strategy). You are encouraged to review and provide input towards the draft plan. The trails plan is focused on the trails on Crown land (parks and public lands) but also considers trail connections and connectivity with trails managed by municipal partners and nearby jurisdictions. Click here for more information.
Public feedback will only be active from November 26, 2025 to January 21, 2026. This is a short window for public engagement so it is very important you provide as much feedback and input as possible. This is your chance to help ensure the Alberta Government hears the voices from our community before continuing with any development plans. Feedback will be received through an online survey and interactive mapping exercise.
The draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan can be accessed here
The online survey can be accessed here
The interactive mapping activity can be accessed here
Help us get the word out by sharing this information with your friends, family and colleagues!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Bears are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything that is available to them, so please make sure your yard is free of all potential attractants so that bears do not find anything to eat and subsequently get into trouble! These attractants include fruit (both on trees and on the ground), pet food, garbage, recycling, compost, bird feeders and greasy bbq’s.
The Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Programs are closed for this year, but will both be back in 2026. We will provide details in the New Year on both the incentives and application process and they will be first-come first-served while funds are available.
A Holiday Decorating Guide for the Bow Valley
Last week, an Elk with Christmas lights tangled in its antlers was seen near Benchlands Terrace in Canmore. Holiday decorations, loose and low-hanging cords, lights, and wires can become tangled in the antlers of deer, elk, and moose which can be dangerous, causing injuries or exhaustion. If entangled, the animal is often unable to untangle from the obstruction itself. Residents and business owners should walk their property and remove items that could potentially result in a wildlife entanglement incident. To protect these animals:
Secure lights to buildings instead of trees (especially within 10 feet of the ground).
Ensure strings of lights are secured tightly to buildings so they don’t sag, and avoid stringing lights between multiple trees or across open spaces (when strings of lights are wrapped around low bushes, elk and deer may get their antlers tangled in them).
Consider using cord-free decorations.
Use timers to conserve energy and preserve the night sky.
After the holidays, remove lights and decorations promptly.
Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility. Let's make it a safe and happy holiday season for everyone, including our wildlife friends!
Click here to read and download the full PDF version of the article “A Holiday Decorating Guide for the Bow Valley” from the December 2022 Mountain Real Estate Magazine.
For those using a mobile device, click here to view the article online.
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
‘Horrible precedent’: Wildlife experts urged against booting bear from den at Banff ski hill.
B.C. conservation officers capture four more bears in attack investigation.
4 grizzlies to be relocated after evidence finds no link to Bella Coola, B.C., attack.
Understanding and Dealing with Japan’s Bear Crisis.
Recent attacks have B.C. & Alberta on edge, but experts say hunting bears is unlikely to help.
‘Silent killer’: Weighing solutions to stop train-bear collisions in B.C.’s Rogers Pass.
Photographer captures a polar bear devouring a sperm whale in the remote Arctic.
Viral encounter of people feeding and approaching wild bear sparks outrage online.
Man finds 500-pound bear living in narrow crawl space underneath California home.
Man attacked by bear outside public toilet in busy Japanese city.
Kobe firm developing bear-proof garment in wake of attacks in Japan.
Black bear sneaks onto ice moments after skating rink is set up for locals in Lake Tahoe.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Community Wildfire Resilience: 2025 Highlights
Thanks to generous support from the G7, the Biosphere Institute partnered with the Town of Canmore this year to help residents and neighbourhoods become more Fire Ready.
From Aug.21 to Oct.16, our Fire Ready Ambassador team visited 519 homes in Larch, Ridge, and Silvertip neighbourhoods—sharing practical tips to reduce wildfire risk and encouraging neighbours to work together through the FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP).
What we heard was inspiring:
36% of residents had already taken FireSmart actions, and another 32% were aware of the principles.
82% were learning about the NRP for the first time.
An incredible 93% of residents we spoke with committed to taking action on their own property.
We’re now supporting several new Neighbourhood Champions as they form FireSmart committees and begin working toward official recognition. With Town-led FireSmart Hazard Assessments underway until January, this is the perfect time for residents to get involved.
If you’re interested in starting a FireSmart committee, connecting with neighbours, or learning more about the NRP, we’re here to help. We hope to continue this work in 2026 and support residents as we build a more resilient community together. Click here to learn more!
The Town of Canmore is conducting FireSmart Neighbourhood Hazard Assessments from now until January so if you are interested in forming a FireSmart Neighbourhood, now is the time to act!
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Green Team at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup 2025 from Dec.2-8!
We’re still looking for a few more awesome volunteers to help educate attendees and athletes about proper waste sorting as we work toward a goal of diverting 85% of event waste. No prior experience is needed, just a positive attitude and a love for keeping the Bow Valley beautiful!
Why volunteer?
• Short, fun shifts
• Meet incredible people from around the world
• Be part of an international event at the Canmore Nordic Centre
• Support your community and make a real environmental impact
Click here to sign-up and select "Green Team" (#10 in the list) when choosing your volunteer role.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec.8 - Earth Talks: Co-Creating a Sustainable Future: Adaptation & Advocacy
Join Dr. Marc Pons and Stephanie Korolyk from Protect Our Winters (POW) for our next Earth Talks presentation about adaptation challenges and future sustainability in the winter/ski sports industry. Attendees will learn…
What a sustainable future looks like for the winter ski/sports industry, and what adaptation challenges/opportunities exist as winters become more unpredictable
How outdoor recreation is critical to Canada's economy of the future as it currently contributes $101.6 billion annually and is the lifeblood of thousands of small businesses and the direct livelihoods of over one million Canadians
How to be an imperfect advocate, and the importance of having your voice heard with elected officials - it’s not as scary as it seems!
This FREE Earth Talks event, with the Biosphere Institute, will take place on Monday, December 8 at 7pm in the Friends Program Room at the Canmore Public Library. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
Dec.11 - Harnessing the Power of Food: Varenyky Making Workshop
Join the Co+Kitchen, Biosphere Institute and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of the Bow Valley for a varenyky (pyrohy/perogi) making workshop on Dec.11 at 5:30pm at the Co+Kitchen in Canmore. Connect with community, cook, learn and enjoy a meal together! There are two FREE tickets available for any Newcomers - use the promocode "CANMORE100". Click here for tickets!
Dec.20 - Banff-Canmore Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 20th from 8am-5pm. There will be the traditional potluck dinner and count compilation afterwards (starting at 5:30 pm) at 101 Bear Street (above Banff Public Library). If you would like to join, email bvn@bowvalleynaturalists.org.
January 18 - Winter Safety Day
Save the Date! Join Alberta Parks and The Friends of Kananaskis Country on Jan.18, 2026 for this FREE event at Canoe Meadows Day Use in K-Country! There will be many things to do and see all surrounding winter safety. Experience how to read avalanche terrain, use a transceiver, how to build an emergency shelter, meet an avalanche dog, learn about winter animal tracks and much much more! WildSmart and the Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there to chat with folks about winter wildlife safety and responsible trail use - Lots of fun and learning for the whole family.
April 18 - Bear Day 2026!
Save the Date! Bear Day 2026 will be on Saturday April 18, 2026 at the Canmore Nordic Centre. This event is a celebration and welcoming of bears back on the landscape for another year. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the bears in our area and to refresh your bear safety knowledge and skills so you are prepared for the upcoming season. More details to follow in the New Year…
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