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!
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!
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (July 10, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There continue to be steady sightings of bears throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, especially along trails, roads, in and around town, and in the valley bottoms where most of their available food is located. On that note, it’s Berry Season and buffaloberries (Shepherdia) are starting to ripen up so bears will be focused on eating as many berries as possible so they can survive the winter. It looks like it will be a bumper berry crop this year which is good news for the bears, but people need to be prepared to see bears on the trails and to respectfully give them space to feed undisturbed! These berries are an important food sources for bears and provide the nourishment and calories required for the upcoming winter. There have been a number of close encounters (with both hikers and bikers) as bears have their heads down feeding on buffaloberries. A grizzly bear bluff charged a hiker resulting in a Bear Warning to be put in place on the Bill Milne Trail, from Wedge Pond to Mt. Allan Drive in K-Country.
It is important to note that buffaloberries are often found in sunny areas along trails, roads, and recreation areas. Trail users should always expect to encounter a bear while out on the trails or at day use areas. Bears will have their heads down focused on eating berries and not paying attention, so it is up to all of us to make lots of noise to alert them of our presence to help avoid those surprise encounters. Trail users should also travel in a group (ideally 4 or more), keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it in case of a close encounter. Knowing what to do when you encounter a bear is key!
Campers: Reminder to campers to be diligent in keeping ALL wildlife attractants secure from bears including food, garbage, recycling, pet food and any other scented items. Lock them in vehicles, hard-sided trailers or bear-proof storage lockers and never leave these items unattended, even for a minute. Never leave food and scented items in tents as bears can easily access them. Always dispose of garbage in bear-proof bins. We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas and campsites, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or reason to linger!
NOTE: There has been an uptick in cougar sightings in the Bow Valley and K-Country. No negative interactions, just sightings. With all the focus on berry season and bears, people often forget about cougars. It is important to remember that wildlife can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in areas with an active warning or closure in place) so you should always be expecting to run into wildlife whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country!
Bears will have their heads down focused on eating berries and not paying attention so it is up to us to make lots of noise to alert them of our presence to help avoid those surprise encounters.
On the road: Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and create bear jams. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear that is roadside. It stresses out and disturbs the bear, and is potentially dangerous for you, the bear and other motorists. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times and do not linger near wildlife feeding roadside - keep moving along! The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
Even though elk calving season is winding down, this is no time to become complacent. Mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened by people getting too close! Never approach elk for any reason, stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM on a trail! Even bikers should not be trying to sneak past elk on the trails. Keep pets on a leash and it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride around Canmore.
Stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and never try to sneak past them!
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning - Bill Milne Trail from Wedge Pond to Mt. Allan Dr. due to a grizzly bear that bluff charged hiker.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Some places like Lake Minnewanka near Banff (see restricted activity notice below) have seasonal trail restrictions in effect to increase public safety and minimize the displacement of grizzly bears from prime food sources at a critical time of the year. Hiking in a minimum group size of four that must stay together, carrying bear spray, and leaving your dogs at home are simple and effective ways to avoid dangerous interactions with bears. You should consider following these best practices anytime you are out in bear country!
Ever wonder what bears do in July? Learn all about it from our friends at BearWise south of the border. “July at a Glance: By July, cubs born this year have grown to the size of a raccoon or a small dog with big ears. Yearling bears now on their own can be the size of medium dogs. Bears of both sexes mark trees and adult bears mate. Cubs smell their mother’s breath to learn what’s good to eat. Bears’ great memories help them return to proven food sources.” Click here to read the full article about What bears do in July.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek talks about Shepherdia, the plant bears dream about all year long!
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. Note: their locations may change at the last minute. July 12 - Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre (KVIC) and Highwood Pass Parking Lot.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Berry season is here and there have already been sightings of bears feasting on delicious ripe buffaloberries! This is a crucial feeding period for both black and grizzly bears and they take this job very seriously, eating up to 200,000 berries per day and focusing on it for over 20 hours per day! As such, bears will have their heads down feeding on berries. They can be very defensive of their berry bushes, especially if surprised. We need to make extra noise and be vigilant (that means NOT wearing headphones/earbuds) when travelling through bear country.
Shepherdia canadensis, more commonly known as Buffaloberry. Red berries are most common but they can also be orange or yellow.
Bear scat can be an indication of bear activity in the area. During berry season bear scat looks a lot like strawberry jam! Keep an eye out for it on the trails and do not linger in areas with fresh scat. If you do stumble upon some fresh scat out on the trails, remember to be extra vigilant, make extra noise to alert potential bears of your presence, and consider turning around if you are not prepared to handle a possible encounter with a bear. Always have your bear spray readily accessible!
During berry season bear scat looks a lot like strawberry jam!
Banff Ave Brewing Co. Charity Tap - Cheers to Local Conservation!
A huge thank you to Banff Ave Brewing Co. for choosing the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and WildSmart as beneficiaries of their Community Beer program!
Did You Know? From July to September, $1 from every 16 oz Rider’s Signet-ure Dragon Fruit Kölsch goes directly to support our work in environmental education and human-wildlife coexistence. Your pint helps make a real difference in the Bow Valley supporting local conservation efforts, community engagement, and a more sustainable future. Thank you, Banff Ave Brewing Co., for your incredible support!
Our Charity Brew - the Rider’s Signet-ure Dragon Fruit Kölsch.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Parks Canada closes section of Yoho National Park because of ‘food seeking’ bear.
Wildfire fighter attacked by grizzly bear while on the job in northern B.C.
Warning for dog owners after dog survives bear attack in B.C.
‘An amazing story’: Tripod, the three-legged polar bear, spotted with her cub.
Watch this bear dine on Sault woman’s humming bird feeder in Ontario.
Cattle scare away grizzly bear on Montana ranch in this video.
Searching for Banff's most secluded wild animal.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Kendra is excited to join the Biosphere Institute team as the Community Engagement Intern, bringing a passion for community science, conservation, and creative environmental engagement to the role. She has a background in both biology and environmental technology, with research that explored the use of environmental DNA from snow tracks as a sustainable, non-invasive method for wildlife monitoring in the Kananaskis region. Her academic and field experience includes biodiversity assessment, species-at-risk monitoring, and public outreach—grounded in a strong commitment to accessible and inclusive science communication. She is particularly interested in the intersection of ecology and accessibility and hopes to help foster environmental stewardship through hands-on learning and meaningful connections between people and place.
Originally from Alberta, Kendra feels most at home in the mountains and loves hiking, snowboarding, swimming in cold lakes, and stopping to identify every wildflower she sees. She is passionate about conservation, community collaboration, and building a future where both ecosystems and people can thrive. Welcome to the Biosphere Institute team Kendra!
Meet Kendra, our Community Engagement Intern.
Our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors had a great time at the Canada Day celebrations in Canmore last week! It was great to see such a huge turnout from our amazing community. We set up our hands-on, interactive booth in Centennial Park before the parade and enjoyed talking to many locals and visitors about wildlife ecology and safety, discussing ways to avoid and handle encounters with wildlife and how to use bear spray. Thanks to our amazing volunteers for their enthusiasm, dedication, and ability to educate the people who live in, and visit, the Bow Valley!
Wildlife Ambassadors in action at our Canada Day booth in Centennial Park on July 1, 2025.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Green Team for a Zero Waste Folk Fest 2025!
If you're passionate about sustainability and want to make a hands-on impact, volunteer with the Green Team at the Canmore Folk Music Festival from Aug.1-4, 2025! You'll help sort compost, recycling, and garbage, supporting the event’s goal to move Towards Zero Waste. Last year, we achieved an incredible 91% waste diversion rate, and we’re aiming even higher this year!
Sign up for two shifts and receive a free full weekend pass. No experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm! It’s a great opportunity to get involved with the community, help the planet, and listen to some great tunes. Sign up here and indicate that you would like to help with the "Environment Team” and we’ll follow up with relevant details.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Alberta Parks and The Friends of Kananaskis Country are hosting a Parks Day celebration on Saturday July 19 from 12-3pm at Boulton Bridge Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
This free family friendly public event will have a variety of talks, games, interactive displays, a LIVE Interpretive Show, guided bear walks, cake and much more! Our Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there with their hands-on interactive booth. Come on by, learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use, managing wildlife attractants, and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence. Click here for the schedule of events and more info!
NOTE: Parks Day on Saturday July 19 is a Kananaskis Conservation Pass FREE day!
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