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.11, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There have not been any recent bear sightings or wildlife related issues in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country this past week, and GPS data is showing that all of the collared grizzly bears have gone into their dens. 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. As such, it is important to stay bear aware and always be mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife!
This will be the last weekly bear report for 2025!
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.
The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen throughout Canmore which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride/ski. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30m or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep 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.
We will continue to use this mailing list to send out any significant updates on wildlife activity as needed throughout the winter, as well as relevant Biosphere Institute News and Events. Also keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and Instagram for updates on Bow Valley wildlife, events and educational resources throughout the winter.
On behalf of the team at the Biosphere Institute, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays and thank you for subscribing to the weekly bear report!
Grizzly bears such as this one could still be out and about on the landscape!
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
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 case you missed it last week, we provided some links to a study done about the Factors Influencing Bear Spray Performance, in which 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
NOTE: Bear spray is also effective against wildlife that are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk.
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 to help shape the future of trails and recreation in the Bow Valley!
Alberta Forestry and Parks (AFP) has launched public engagement on the draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan (previously titled the Canmore Area Trails Strategy). This is your chance to have your say and provide valuable feedback. 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.
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!
IMPORTANT: Canmore & Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) is hosting an Open House this upcoming Monday, Dec.15 from 5-8pm at the Bill Warren Training Centre to talk about the Draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan. The goal is to help riders, runners, residents, and trail users understand what’s being proposed — and how to share your feedback before Jan.21. Come explore the proposed trail changes, ask your questions, and learn what this means for the future of recreating in the Bow Valley. Click here to RSVP and submit questions in advance!
RELATED ARTICLE: Plan proposes major overhaul of Canmore area trails.
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. Bears can smell a holiday "food" treat a mile away, even inside a gift-wrapped box. 'Tis the season not to festoon your trees with balls of bird seed, hang up wreaths made of peppermint candies, or leave anything yummy on your porch. Tell your neighbors too!
Watch a bear do the holiday door dash! Video courtesy of BearWise.
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
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.
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 view the full article online.
Click on image to read the article - “A Holiday Decorating Guide for the Bow Valley” from the December 2022 Mountain Real Estate Magazine.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Conservation officers call off search for grizzly in Bella Coola attack.
Conservation officers no longer ‘actively’ looking for grizzly bears in Bella Coola attack.
Abundance of natural foods credited for steep decline in Kamloops-area bear reports.
What to do if a polar bear attacks you? | Dr Binocs Show (Fun for Kids…and adults)!
‘On bear patrol’: Inside Japan’s fightback against a surge of deadly bear attacks.
Hundreds of robot wolves are protecting Japan from bear attacks.
California wildlife biologists try to lure bear out of Altadena crawl space.
Bear makes surprise guest appearance at Gatlinburg Christmas parade.
Bear lunges at trainer and tackles him in front of shocked crowd at Hangzhou Safari Park.
Woman who was trapped in cougar’s jaws for 15 minutes reveals acts that saved her life.
Bears pulled off one of evolution’s biggest rule breaks – twice.
Nova Scotia's first black bear cub rehabilitation centre aims to open in spring.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We will be having our Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador end of season wrap-up party this weekend! THANK YOU to our amazing and dedicated volunteers for making the trails safer for people and wildlife this season! In 2025, Wildlife Ambassadors contributed over 1,240 hours and spoke with almost 12,500 residents and visitors about wildlife safety, responsible trail use and improving human-wildlife coexistence throughout the Bow Valley, Kananaskis Country, West Bragg Creek, Cochrane and Calgary! On behalf of all the two & four-legged residents - Thank You!
In other pawsitive news, we are thrilled to report that to our knowledge, no bears were euthanized or relocated from Canmore and the Bow Valley this year! This is largely due to mother nature providing such an excellent berry crop to keep the bears fed and out of trouble, as well as a group effort by residents and visitors who did a great job with properly securing and managing wildlife attractants (i.e. removing the fruit from trees, removing fruit trees, keeping pumpkins indoors, not putting out bird feeders, not leaving food out when camping) and educational efforts. Well done Bow Valley!
A photo from our Wildlife Ambassador training on May 10, 2025.
Support the Biosphere Institute's Community Hub This Holiday Season
This holiday season, we’re celebrating the Community Hub—the heart of the Biosphere Institute’s creative, community-driven work in climate action that centers diverse ways of knowing.
From Earth Talks on fireguards and wildlife habitat, to creative projects like the Quirky Climate Fashion Show that raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity loss, your support directly fuels education, outreach, and grassroots initiatives that make a real difference on the ground!
Looking for a meaningful holiday gift?
You can also request a customized gift certificate to let a friend or loved one know that a donation has been made in their honour. It’s a thoughtful way to share your love for the valley, and help protect the landscape and wildlife that call it home.
Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 by January 1st by donating today! Thank you for supporting community, and a wilder, safer Bow Valley.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec.15 - CAMBA Open House: Draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan
CAMBA is hosting an Open House on Monday, Dec.15 from 5-8pm at the Bill Warren Training Centre to talk about the Draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan. The goal is to help riders, runners, residents, and trail users understand what’s being proposed, and how to share your feedback before Jan.21. Come explore the proposed trail changes and learn what this means for the future of recreating in the Bow Valley. Click here to RSVP and submit questions in advance!
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