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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (May 15, 2026)

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

Steady bear sightings continue in the Bow Valley and along the northern section of Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country. A mother bear with 3 cubs (likely grizzly bears) was seen up high in a meadow clearing yesterday during a hike at Mt. Yamnuska, and there is a Bear Warning at Lower Lake Campground due to a grizzly bear and cubs in the area. Most black and grizzly bears have emerged from their dens hungry, and are in the valley bottoms looking for food. Mother bears are very protective of their young, and with large males out and about, these mothers will be on high alert. It is crucial to give these families of bears plenty of space to move about and feed undisturbed. Stay at least 100m (10 bus lengths) away at all times!

MANAGE WILDLIFE ATTRACTANTS: The upcoming long weekend will bring more people into the Mountain Parks than bears have been accustomed to in recent weeks. As a result, there will likely be a spike in bear sightings and we all need to do our part to help keep people and wildlife safe! That includes properly securing wildlife attractants at campsites and day use areas. Keep campsites clean and do not leave any wildlife attractants out on site while away from your campsite or overnight. Never leave food unattended - not even for a minute! Garbage, food and scented items need to be stored inside a vehicle, hard sided trailer or bear lockers. Don’t be the reason a bear has to be killed because it got into un-natural food sources on your campsite!

Some reminders for trail runners and mountain bikers who move quickly and often quietly along the trails: Make lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail and slow down to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife, especially around blind corners, at the tops of hills, or in areas with thick vegetation and poor sight lines. It is also a good idea to keep ear buds out for better situational awareness, check behind you to make sure you are not being followed by wildlife, and always carry bear spray in an accessible location, and know how to use it!

All trail users should always be thinking about bears and expecting encounters so that they are mentally prepared to properly handle those encounters. If you see a bear on a trail, do NOT try to sneak past it. Wait until it leaves or find another way around and have your bear spray ready. IMPORTANT: Bears can and will be encountered on busy trails. If a bear is walking down the trail towards you (and if safe to do so), simply try moving off of the trail to let them pass, but always have your bear spray out and ready just in case. If the bear continues past, you were just in the way. If the bear turns to follow you, there is more going on and you should have your bear spray out and be ready to spray the bear.

Mama grizzly bear with three cubs near Lower Kananaskis Lake on May 10, 2025. Archived photo courtesy of Michelle Hoogveld.

ELK: Numerous elk continue to be seen in and around Canmore, and with elk calving season underway, people are reminded never to approach elk for any reason! Mother elk can become very protective of their calves, aggressively kicking or charging if they feel threatened. The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths, and NEVER try to sneak past them!

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

Bear Warning: Lower Lake Campground due to a grizzly bear and cubs in the area.

SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND

DRIVE CAREFULY AND DON’T CREATE BEAR JAMS: The green grass and dandelions along the highways are drawing all kinds of wildlife to the roadside as this is their springtime food. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop, and always stay in your vehicle. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times! Remember to obey all “No Stopping Signs” and if you see one animal be prepared to see more and adjust your speed accordingly.

Roadside vegetation is some of the first to green up at this time of the year and fulfills important habitat needs for bears. Other animals like elk, deer and sheep rely on this same early season green up which means a higher risk for vehicle collisions with wildlife. If you see one animal, be prepared to see more and adjust your speed accordingly. Travel safely and help protect our wildlife (and yourselves) by slowing down, especially during dawn, dusk and night. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.

Ever wonder what black bears do in May? Learn all about it from our friends at BearWise south of the border. “May at a Glance: All bears visit all the places where they reliably found food last year. Cubs learn how to climb up (and down) trees, and learn to “talk.” Cubs are still nursing, but start experimenting with bear food. Mother bears sometimes leave the youngsters alone and travel up to two miles to search for food. Cubs that are alone aren’t usually orphaned or abandoned.” Click here to read the full article about “What bears do in May!”

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas, campsites and backyards, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or a reason to linger! Keep them moving along by ensuring your campsites and yards are free of attractants such as food, garbage, pet food, greasy bbq’s and bird feeders. Here are some great tips from Wildlife Ambassador Karen…

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. May 17 - Banff Train Station (near the Banff sign) and West Bragg Creek Day Use Area.
May 18 - Canmore Engine Bridge.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Some things are out of our control, but with the long weekend coming up, properly securing your food and garbage is something you can control!

Never feed any wildlife and never leave food unattended, even for a minute!
If you see garbage on the ground, help out by picking it up and putting it in a bin.
If a garbage bin is full, take your garbage to another bin, or take it home with you! DO NOT leave it on the ground where it is accessible for wildlife!

A fed bear is a dead bear and one lazy act could cost a bear its life! In Canmore, if you notice any garbage left outside of bear proof bins, or garbage bins that are full around town, please report this to the Town of Canmore at 403-678-1580.

Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program - Accessing fruit trees is the number one reason why bears in the Bow Valley are relocated or killed. We are making Canmore safer for people and wildlife by reducing financial barriers to remove and replace fruit trees. Thanks to the generous support from the G7, we’re continuing our partnership with the Town of Canmore this year to offer the Fruit Tree Replacement Incentive using the remaining funds from the 2025 allotment. The replacement incentive is run concurrently with the Fruit Tree Removal Incentive to encourage residents to remove and replace fruit-bearing vegetation from their properties, an important action to ensure that wildlife is kept wild in the Bow Valley. Click here to learn more or apply for the incentive! Applications are now open while funds are available.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

Man, 27, from India killed in rare fatal bear attack in northern Saskatchewan.
Calgary hikers share ‘really cool’ images of Kananaskis grizzly bears.
‘Best left undisturbed’: Banff bear photobomb illustrates need for wildlife safety.
Trapped by wildlife in Banff's dog park 'low-key terrifying'.
PHOTOS: Bow Valley wildlife on the move.
Alberta Mounties apprehend fox with stolen hot dogs.
More info released: 2 hikers injured in Yellowstone grizzly bear attack.
‘When she saw him, she charged’: Family speaks after hikers attacked by bear in Yellowstone.
Utah officials urge hikers to stay alert in cougar country as deer give birth.
Scientists thought ravens followed wolves for food - they were wrong, ravens predict them.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

With all the negative news articles about bears listed above, it is a nice change to see a bear in a pawsitive way, having some fun with a tree swing and a quick back scratch in the parking lot at Mt. Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis Country. Click here to watch the video!
Note: this video was filmed from inside the Mt. Engadine Lodge.
RELATED ARTICLE: Grizzly bear scratches back and plays with swing at Engadine lodge.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Volunteer with the FireSmart Ambassador Program!

Want to help build a more wildfire-resilient Bow Valley? This summer, the Biosphere Institute is recruiting volunteers for our FireSmart Ambassador Program. Volunteers will support an educational campaign across Canmore, helping residents learn practical ways to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience.

No experience is needed. Flexible shifts, full training, volunteer swag, and appreciation events are all included. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbours, build new skills, and contribute to meaningful local action. Click here to learn more and apply.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 20 - Braiding Knowledges: Climate and Mental Health Workshop. Join Cory Beaver (Iyarhe Nakoda) and Tanya Pacholok (Biosphere Institute) for a free workshop that weaves together perspectives from climate psychology and Iyarhe Nakoda teachings to explore climate change and mental health. The session includes a short presentation, guided discussion, and a free planting activity where participants plant small pots as a reflection on care, reciprocity, and tending to what matters. FREE - snacks & refreshments provided. Limited capacity.
(5:00-6:30pm on May 20 in the Friends Program Room, Canmore Public Library). Click here to save your spot!

May 23 - Sports Gear Sustainability Hub Swap. Does your garage have a "sports corner" gathering dust? Those cleats that don’t fit anymore or that basketball that never gets used could be a game-changer for others. Don't let usable items go to the landfill-give them a second life. Come to our gear swap with the Bow Valley Filipino Canadian Society on May 23 in the Friends Program Room at the Canmore Public Library: 10am-12pm: Drop off and organizing of gear. 12-3pm: Gear swapping! What we accept: Bikes, helmets, protective gear, skates, shoes, balls, sticks, bats, racquets, sports apparel and more! Click here for more info.

May 25 - Earth Talks - Energy Transition in Alberta: Like Pushing Oil Uphill with local conservationist, writer, and photographer Stephen Legault (7-8pm, Friends Program Room, Canmore Public Library) - Click here to register for free

May 26 - Online Bear Aware: Bear Safety Session with the Town of Banff and Parks Canada (7:00-8:15pm Online). Learn how to be safe in bear country, how to identify different types of bears, common bear behaviours and tools and tips to prevent bear encounters - Click here to register for free

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

Bear Report - May 15, 2026