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 (Nov.20, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There have not been any recent bear sightings in the Bow Valley, but there have been several reports of grizzly bears out on the landscape in Kananaskis Country - so not all bears have denned yet! GPS data is showing that most collared grizzly bears have gone into their dens or remain at or near their den sites at higher elevations. That being said, the bears that are still moving on the landscape have one thing on their mind: food, food and more food. These bears may be distracted while they forage, so it’s especially important to stay bear aware, don’t become complacent out on the trails, and always be mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife! Christmas tree cutters and trail users still need to be bear aware, make noise, travel in groups, be aware of their surroundings (i.e. look for tracks in the snow) and carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location (not in backpacks) and know how to use it. Bear spray is also effective against wildlife that are active year-round such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk. The 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.
Today, there were reports of a coyote seen near Veteran’s Park in downtown Canmore that followed a man walking his dog and it would not back off until a neighbour’s very large dog barked to scare it away! Coyotes may act defensively if a dog or person gets too close to their den, which they sometimes build under houses and decks, which could explain this behaviour. Keep animals out by wildlife proofing your property! Close off gaps under stairs, decks or sheds where a carnivore, like a bear, cougar or coyote, can hide. Please read more in the ‘Food for Thought’ section below!
SLOW DOWN: Drivers need to take extra care and heed warning when they see wildlife signage showing wildlife on the road and remember to drive carefully, obey speed limits, and scan for wildlife that may be feeding or lingering roadside. Motorists need to be extra alert (especially at dawn and dusk) as the days are getting shorter and the number of darkness hours are increasing.
Large male grizzly bears such as this one are likely still out and about! Photo by Amar Athwal.
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.
HUNTERS need to be aware and cautious as, due to the nature of their activity, they are intentionally being quiet on the landscape. They should always be bear aware and carry bear spray with them while out hunting! Bear spray can save the life of the hunter AND the bear(s). If you are recreating, please remain alert of your surroundings and avoid dead animals.
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
Even though the bears have or will enter their dens soon, there are still many species that do not hibernate (i.e. cougars, wolves, coyotes, deer and elk) that you need to be aware of and prepared to encounter while out on the trails. Here are some good reminders to consider when recreating during the winter months. Trail users should carry bear spray year-round, 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 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.
Cougar in the snow. Archived photo courtesy of Alberta Forestry & Parks.
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 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!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek talks about how we should visit the mountains with respect as it’s not REALLY our backyard!
"BUSTING BEAR MYTHS" BY DEREK RYDER, WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR
Myth: Bears hibernate.
Fact: Maybe, but maybe not. The research is ongoing. Hibernation is defined as a state of greatly reduce metabolic activity and lowered body temperature. “Normal” hibernators have body temperatures approaching 0° C, and almost not detectible heart or brain activity. They can’t “wake up”. Bears aren’t like that. Their body temperature drops only 3°-5°. Moms give birth and nurse in February while they are “hibernating”.
The better current term for the state bears enter into is “torpor”. Torpor is more like just a deep sleep. The heart and respiration slow a bit, but the brain is up and active. Just like you and me, however, no matter how deep a sleep we’re in, things can wake us up. So it is with bears. A warm snap, people skiing by, or giving birth, and bears wake up, albeit groggily.
We start feeling tired before we go to bed. So do bears. Research from Norway shows that bears start to slow down their metabolism up to a month before they den. And, just like us, their metabolism starts to “wake up” almost a month before they officially “wake up” and emerge from their dens.
Still, biologists are now starting to consider what bears do a type of hibernation. The line is still a bit blurry, but it’s better for us to think of their state as the deep sleep of torpor rather than the near comatose-state of hibernation.
Modern day hibernation (or more accurately “Torpor”) for bears…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Please ensure that your yards are free of ALL attractants so that bears do not find anything to eat and subsequently get into trouble! If you have a fruit tree, such as a crabapple (including ornamental crabapples), mountain ash or chokecherry - picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree. There is still money remaining in the budget this year for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program so we urge you to consider removing your fruit tree now while the funds are available! These programs are first-come first-served while funds are available.
Click here to view a handy Fruit-Bearing Trees & Shrubs Identification Guide!
Living in the Bow Valley means wildproofing your property. Patios and crawl spaces under sheds or stairs are attractive hiding or denning places for cougars, foxes, bears, coyotes, and other animals. Proactive prevention is the best way to keep carnivores from taking up residence in your residence.
Blocking holes and covering access to hiding places will keep your pets and neighbours safe, and could prevent the need to relocate or kill habituated wild animals. Spring is the best time to wild-proof your property, with an extra check before winter.
Follow these tips to avoid attracting animal guests:
Board up open spaces under decks or patios or close them off with durable wire mesh.
Install motion-activated security lights if possible. They may help frighten away carnivores.
Keep cats indoors and bring dogs inside at night. If your dog is outside unsupervised in the day, make sure they’re in a secure, covered kennel.
If you see a cougar or other wildlife in the Banff town site, call Parks Canada at 403-762-1470. To report a cougar or any aggressive wildlife in Canmore, call Kananaskis Dispatch (KES) at 403-591-7755
Will bears find a good winter den at your place? Bears are flexible, creative and opportunistic; they will crawl into dens anywhere they feel safe and out of sight. Click here to learn more at BearWise.
Another article: Residents on edge after dangerous creature found lurking beneath porch.
Keep animals out by wildlife proofing your property! Close off gaps under stairs, decks or sheds where a carnivore, like a bear, cougar or coyote, can hide.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
'I just think killing bears should be the last possible resort': Banff-Kananaskis MLA.
Concerns raised that highway fence plan will hurt wildlife in the Bow Valley.
Banff’s infamous grizzly ‘The Boss’ continues to dominate Bow Valley, but he’s got competition.
Notorious rival grizzly bears The Boss and Split Lip spotted in Banff National Park ahead of hibernation.
These B.C. wolves figured out how to pull up crab traps to get food.
Canada issues major travel warnings for Japan after fatal bear attacks.
Number of bear-attack victims in Japan from April to October 2025 hits record high of 196.
Bear runs onto airport tarmac in JapanWatch: Bear runs onto airport tarmac, halting flights
Amid Japan’s surge in bear attacks, a torrent of AI-generated videos is adding to anxiety.
U.S. issues travel warning for Japan as country deals with spike in bear attacks.
Tourist Approaches Grizzly Bear In Yellowstone National Park.
Shocking video shows bear chasing boy into Pennsylvania dollar store.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Monday’s Earth Talk brought together local experts to unpack the science, nuance, benefits and trade-offs behind wildfire risk reduction in the Bow Valley — and how fire guards and firesmarting can actually improve human-wildlife coexistence. Attendees learned:
How carefully planned and executed fireguards and fuel reduction projects can have long term benefits for an array of wildlife species.
How strategically removing the forest canopy can improve the productivity of vegetation preferred by large mammals.
How fire guards and fuel reduction projects in the Bow Valley will not only reduce the risk of wildfire but provide good habitat for wildlife outside of town, which will help to reduce human wildlife conflict.
Many thanks to John, Caitlin, Cliff and Bill for their expertise on this topic!
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Green Team at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup 2025 from Dec.2-8!
We’re looking for enthusiastic 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 indicate you want to volunteer with the "Green Team" (#10 in the list).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov.21 - Do-Si-Do for the Biosphere Institute: Square Dance Fundraiser
LAST CALL!! Less than 5 tickets left for our annual Square Dance fundraiser tomorrow night! Dust off your boots for a night of toe-tappin’ fun featuring live music, light snacks, prizes, and a lively square dance. All are welcome! Young and old cowboys, cowgirls and cowpals!
There will be a cash bar with a special contribution from Wild Life Distillery, and plenty of chances to win big with our Silent Auction, Draw Prizes and 50/50 draw. Fire in the hole!
Friday November 21, 2025.
Doors open: 6:30 PM at Cornerstone Theatre | Dancing starts at 7:30 PM
General Admission: $45 + fees
Nov.25 - WASTE NOT – WANT NOT – Working Towards Zero Waste in the Bow Valley
The Bow Valley Naturalists invite you to join them for the presentation “WASTE NOT – WANT NOT – Working Towards Zero Waste in the Bow Valley” with Shannon Ripley and Andrew Cotterell. This FREE presentation is on Tuesday November 25 from 7:30-9pm in Banff at 101 Bear Street (Catharine Whyte Building – above the Banff Public Library).
Wondering about ‘what goes where’ in the world of local waste management? Curious about how re-think, reduce, reuse, and recycle benefits the natural world in surprising ways?
Bring all your waste wonder and burning questions to this lively discussion! The purpose is to describe circular economy and waste prevention and diversion initiatives, how the waste management system works, where items go for recycling, etc.
Dec.20 - Banff-Canmore Christmas Bird Count
The annual Christmas Bird Count is a citizen science project that operates through the participation and commitment of individuals in the Bow Valley. The 2025 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 the Banff Public Library. Please contact either the Banff or Canmore coordinator directly if you would like to like to be involved this year:
Banff: hjdempsey@shaw.ca
Canmore: ethan@suechick.com
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