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 now!
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (July 2, 2026)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
As more people head out into bear country to go camping, hiking and picnicking, not only are the roads getting busier, but there is an increased chance of bears and other wildlife accessing food and garbage that is improperly stored or left unattended. Remember to give wildlife the space they need, which is at least 100 metres for carnivores such as bears! That includes bears feeding roadside, elk feeding along trails, squirrels looking for food and bighorn sheep standing in the middle of the road. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Be sure to slow down appropriately while passing wildlife roadside but do not stop. Stay in your vehicle and keep moving to avoid putting any unwanted stress on the animals. Never feed wildlife or encourage wildlife to come closer to you or your vehicle. That includes smaller animals such as squirrels when you are out having your picnic.
Managing Wildlife Attractants: It is very important to properly manage wildlife attractants such as food and garbage while hiking, camping and at Day Use Areas. NEVER leave attractants unattended and don’t be the reason for wildlife having to be destroyed! Reminder 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. If you see garbage on the ground, pick it up and put it in a bear-proof bin. If the bin is full, take your garbage to another bin or take the garbage home with you, but NEVER leave garbage 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.
At your picnic table - Try not to have large amounts of food spread all around your table(s) as you will not have enough time to gather it and secure it if a bear were to approach. The goal is to try and make sure the bear does NOT get any food rewards. If a bear approaches your campsite or picnic table, do your best to gather up and secure all the food and USE YOUR BEAR SPRAY. 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!
On the trail: People need to mentally prepare themselves for encounters and remember to make lots of noise, travel in a group (ideally 4 or more), keep pets on a leash, and 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! Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray. It is important to remember that bears 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 a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country!
The Viral Bear Encounter Video Near Mount Engadine: The video shows a woman walking her leashed dog when the grizzly repeatedly bluff-charged to within just a few feet of them. Related Article: Warning in place after grizzly bear follows and fixates on dog in Kananaskis Country.
Main takeaways from this encounter: ALWAYS carry bear spray, know how to use it and use it when needed. DO NOT video tape encounters. Your first priority should be your safety, managing the encounter, and using your bear spray - not taking a video. You need both hands to handle the encounter properly, especially when you have a dog with you, so keep your phone in your pocket. Your safety is more important than getting a video for more followers and likes on social media. Finally, as you can see, this bear was focused on the dog and likely was in predation mode and wanted to eat it, and did not care about the woman. This is another potential reason to consider leaving your dog at home as they typically make encounters with wildlife worse.
Mother grizzly bear with cub in K-Country on July 2, 2025.
On the road: Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. 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! Be extra vigilant at dawn, dusk and during night time hours to avoid collisions with wildlife. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
ELK: Elk calving season is winding down but that does not mean people should become complacent as mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened by people getting too close to their young! Be aware of your surroundings, even on popular and well visited trails around town and along the river. Never approach elk for any reason, stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk. If you see any elk, immediately leave the area 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. When walking with dogs, stay well clear of all elk (we recommend over 100m) and leave the area immediately. Mother elk will charge at dogs from a distance, even when on leash, in order to protect their offspring.
Some elk calves up and running around in Canmore. Archived photo.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning: Castle Mountain Campground due to bear activity in the area.
A reminder to 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 first hand reports from the people who see the wildlife!
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Here is an interesting article by Clayton Lamb that was recently published about how outdoor recreationalists like hikers and mountain bikers influence wildlife movements in Fernie: Wildlife responses to nonmotorized recreation in the Southern Canadian Rockies: a multiscale analysis near Fernie, BC. Click here for the PDF version.
They assessed the responses of large mammals to nonmotorized recreation near Fernie, B.C., using a multiscale observational approach combining data from 66 camera traps and GPS telemetry from 21 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). They evaluated the following:
How wildlife detections varied by trail type, relative to the broader landscape, and with varying levels of recreational users;
Whether animals shifted activity to avoid peak human use;
How collared grizzly bear movement responded to recreation trails compared to other anthropogenic features.
Results: Trail type, surrounding landscape, and recreational pressure significantly influenced detection rates, but responses varied by species and scales. Elk showed the strongest avoidance, with reduced presence on recreation trails and a marked shift toward low-use periods. In contrast, moose and mule deer were more frequently detected on or near recreation trails. Grizzly bears consistently avoided areas adjacent to recreation trails, but were detected on recreation trails more than nearby wildlife trails suggesting that when they do move through the trail network they do so on recreation trails. These findings highlight species- and scale-dependent behavioral responses, with effects ranging from strong (elk), to moderate (grizzly bears), to minimal (black bears, moose, mule deer, red foxes, and white-tailed deer). Their results suggest that concentrating recreation near existing developed areas and during mid-day should minimize impacts on wildlife while providing important access to recreation for people. Maintaining low-use zones elsewhere will be important for more sensitive species. Here is an excellent infographic summarizing the results:
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
There are lots of reasons to keep your dog on a leash. Here's one you may not have thought about: your off-leash pooch is a threat to ground birds like grouse.
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 4 - Upper Kananaskis Lake and Elbow Lake in K-Country.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Fruit trees attract bears into our neighbourhoods which puts people and wildlife at risk and accessing fruit trees is the number one reason why bears in the Bow Valley are relocated or killed. Buffaloberries will start to ripen in the weeks to come. Please be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. Your tree blossoms will blossom into bear problems later! It is your responsibility to make sure that bears do not have a reason to linger in your yard, resulting in bears being relocated or destroyed.
To make Canmore safer for wildlife and people, the Town of Canmore is once again offering their Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program. 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 removal incentive program reimburses 100% of the pre-tax cost of tree removal up to $500 per residential property and $1,000 per condo association or commercial property (for removal of 5 or more trees).
The replacement incentive program reimburses 100% of the pre-tax cost to replace removed trees with non-fruit-bearing alternatives, up to $500 per residential property or up to $1,000 per condo association or commercial property (for the replacement of 5 or more trees).
Click here to learn more or apply for the incentive! Applications are still open while funds are available so don’t wait until it’s too late and the funds are all gone - Apply now!
Buffaloberries will start to ripen in the coming weeks so please be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
WildSmart was on Global Calgary to talk about managing attractants and bear encounters.
Bear spray deployed after grizzlies rip tent at Kananaskis campground, advisory issued.
Alberta woman catches close encounter with Kananaskis grizzly bear on camera.
29-year-old woman speaks out after close encounter with grizzly bear.
Why more bears are entering urban areas in Japan.
WATCH: Moose Crosses River in Front of Grizzly Bear in Yellowstone National Park.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Buy the Environment a Coffee... Join the Biosphere's Summit Club!
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Bow Valley? Join the Biosphere Institute's Summit Club, our community of monthly donors helping protect the places we love. Whether it's conserving wildlife habitat, FireSmarting, inspiring climate action, or bringing neighbours together through community programs, your monthly gift creates lasting local impact.
Even a small monthly donation (about the cost of a coffee!) helps build a healthier, more resilient Bow Valley. As a Summit Club member, you'll also receive invitations to exclusive experiences, including our upcoming summer hike with Executive Director Gareth, along with other behind-the-scenes opportunities throughout the year! Together, we can invest in the future of the Bow Valley one month at a time. Click here to join now!
Is your refundable recycling piling up? Did you know you can help support us by donating your refundable recyclables through SkipTheDepot? It's so convenient to have your refundable recyclables picked up at your door, with proceeds going to Biosphere Institute. Collections can now be scheduled in Canmore and many other towns and cities. Recycling is now as easy as 1,2,3:
1. Download the app or register online, and book a pickup by clicking on this link.
2. Place your bags outside
3. Your refund gets donated directly to the Biosphere Institute!
Spread the word and share with friends! SkipTheDepot is a great way to donate directly to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and WildSmart. Thanks for your support!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calling young women of the Bow Valley ages 14-18 interested in Fly Fishing!
Sign up now to join the Girls on the Fly program! In signing up, you are invited to participate in fly casting clinics, presentations from female experts in fly fishing and conservation, help improve riparian habitat, join a network of women in the sport and receive a beginner rod setup ($300 value, based on the needs of the participant). More information here.
Sign-up closes July 6th. Space is limited. NO COST. No experience necessary.
ABOUT: The Girls on the Fly program is all about supporting a community of women around the sport of fly fishing. The program will recruit young women ages 14-18yrs as well as women mentors who live in Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, MD Bighorn or Mînî Thnî.
The program will kickoff with an event on Wednesday, July 15 that includes trout food, fly casting and equipment workshop presentations from Lynda McLennan at Millennium Park in Canmore. The group will meet on August 18th for on-the-Bow River coaching from Lynda. August will also include the opportunity to connect with local women passionate about sharing in the joy of fly fishing (like Tatum Monod and Bexx Ferri) and invitation to participate in a beaver dam analog project for trout habitat in Waiparous with Freshwater Conservation Canada. Finally, the program will wrap up at the end of September with a Parks Canada riparian zone restoration project at Cascade Ponds in Banff. Full schedule and information here.
July 18 - Parks Day 2026. Come to Parks Day 2026 hosted by Alberta Parks and the Friends of Kananaskis Country on Saturday July 18 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 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!
August 12 - Harnessing the Power of Food Workshop #2: Cooking Out of the Box!
What's in the box? Join us to find out! Gather for an evening of creativity, community, and delicious surprises as we transform a mystery selection of fresh, seasonal produce from the Bow Valley Food Alliance's Good Food Box program! We'll explore how to cook intuitively, embrace what's in season, and discover just how much is possible with a handful of local ingredients from the Good Food Box program that week.
Wednesday August 12 at 6pm at the Co+Kitchen in Canmore.
Sliding Scale Tickets: $0-50. Click here to register and buy your ticket now!
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