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!
The information below is based upon a compilation of bear information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last week. It is not intended to be used as a real-time, complete record of where bears are in the valley.
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (May 22, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Grizzly and black bears continue to be seen along trails, roads and in residential neighbourhoods on both sides of the valley. Some family groups of bears have also been spotted regularly in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, so be extra vigilant and make sure to give these families lots of space as mothers are particularly protective of their young! Many people are NOT giving them space and are causing bear jams. Mothers with cubs have a limit on their tolerance and may charge at people who get too close. If you like bears and want to keep them safe - give them lots of space, at least 100m, even while in your car! Giving them space also includes slowing down but not stopping when passing bears feeding roadside, and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures.
Grizzly bear using the trail, just like us! Photo courtesy of the Government of Alberta.
Elk Calving Season is underway and reports of aggressive charging elk cows have started coming in. People need to be extra vigilant of mother elk that will be hiding their calves in dense vegetation near parks, fields and trails. Mother elk can become very defensive and will aggressively protect their calves by kicking and charging at you if they feel threatened. Never approach elk for any reason and always give them a very wide safety margin! The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away (three school bus lengths), and NEVER TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM!
The presence of newborn elk calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal. Do not touch or remove young calves if they are found in the woods! Newborns will spend much of their time alone in their early days and will appear lifeless in order to avoid detection by predators. Their mother will always be close by. Always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it, and keep your pets on a leash.
Mother elk and their calves are frequently found along busy trails in Canmore and can go undetected by people walking right past them! (As shown in this photo taken on May 24, 2023 near the boardwalk in Canmore).
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
ELK WARNING: Larch Island in Canmore due to Cow Elk Calving.
BEAR WARNING: Lake Minnewanka Trail in Banff National Park due to a female black bear with offspring that made contact with a tent in a campground. Here is a related article.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
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 the reports first hand from the people who actually see the wildlife!
Bears and other animals like elk, deer and sheep are found feeding on green grass and dandelions along roads, highways and trails. Roadside vegetation is some of the first to green up at this time of the year and fulfills important habitat needs for these animals. This results in a higher risk for vehicle collisions with wildlife. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife, but don’t stop. Always stay in your vehicle! Give bears at least 100m of space at all times! The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
Mother grizzly bear and cubs roadside in K-Country.
Message to Cyclists: Considering riding on Highway 40 past the closure gate to Highwood Pass while the road is closed? Areas along this section of highway provide critical early season habitat for bears. Encounters are likely.
Travel in a group
Carry bear spray, keep it accessible and know how to use it
Dogs MUST be on a leash
If you encounter a bear, stay 100m away and return to your vehicle
If the bear is between you and your vehicle, retreat and wait for the bear to move into the forest or for a larger group to assemble (minimum of four adults). Then continue past the bear on the opposite side of the road, without stopping, with your bear spray ready
Report all bear sightings when able to Kananaskis Dispatch at: 403-591-7755
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many factors. From signs that bears are around to what to do in a bear encounter, there is always something to learn. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: this is their living area, dining area, and even their bathroom. Recognizing the food sources that bears are currently eating can help raise your awareness of the possibility that bears are around where you are at any given moment. Every month we’re going to look at what bears are eating right now. For the next few weeks, and in this edition of What are the Bears eating today? by Derek Ryder, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassador & IGA Interpretive Guide, it is Kinnikinnik (bear berry).
By now most bears have emerged from their dens. Through the month of May they’ll leave the higher alpine environments where they den and move down to the snow free valley bottoms, so bear sightings and encounters will increase through the month. Along the way down from the alpine, if they can find a carcass of something killed over the winter by an avalanche, they’ll be very happy. However, there are no guarantees for that to happen, so most bears will rely on their veggie diets. One plant they will go after that does have berries at this time of year is kinnikinnik. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Kinnikinnik!
Click on this image of the Kinnikinnik flowers to read the full article!
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: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute. This weekend they will be at:
May 24 & 25 - 2025 Women's Soap Run at the Canmore Nordic Centre
May 24 - Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre & May 25 - Canmore Engine Bridge
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program - Fruit trees attract bears into our neighbourhoods which puts people and wildlife at risk. Bears accessing fruit trees is the one of the main causes of bears needing to be relocated or killed in the Bow Valley. We are making Canmore safer for people and wildlife by reducing financial barriers to remove fruit trees.
The Town of Canmore is once again offering their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program this year to cover 100% of costs of removal (up to $500 per property). This program is offered to remove wildlife attractants and reduce conflict between bears and people in Canmore. Don't wait for the fruit to start growing, remove them early.
Click here for details and how to apply. Applications are open while funds are available.
Eligibility: Individuals who own a home or property located within the Town of Canmore.
Funding: 100% of the pre-tax cost of removal of the fruit tree(s) or bush(es) by an arborist or tree removal service up to $500/property. Program is first-come first-served while funds are available.
Little green buffaloberries starting to show up around Canmore. It is looking like it might be a good berry crop for the Bow Valley this year! Photo taken in Canmore on May 22, 2025.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Albertans need to stay aware of wildlife while enjoying the outdoors, advocates say.
Another bear warning issued over May long weekend — this time for a Banff trail.
A brawl between a Canada goose and bald eagle was caught on camera.
Fredericton, N.B. resident shocked as two bears land on her second-storey deck.
Black bear takes dramatic tumble from tree in Owen Sound, ON.
Why no one knows exactly how many black bears there are in B.C.
'Surge' in Greater Victoria cougar and bear conflicts puts pets in harm's way.
Grizzly Killed After Tipping Over 800-Pound Dumpsters in Yellowstone National Park.
‘Early morning garbage duty’: Bear pushes dumpster in viral video.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
In last week’s bear report, we showed you a picture of our amazing group of Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors at our training session. Two of them were out at West Bragg Creek last Saturday talking to trail users about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. These Ambassadors were interviewed by Global News Calgary. Wildlife Ambassador Hendrik did a great job with the interview, here is a link to the video. It is so great to see our amazing Wildlife Ambassadors spreading consistent human-wildlife coexistence messaging across the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country with the pawsitive support of partners such as Bragg Creek Trails!
Wildlife Ambassador Hendrik in West Bragg Creek with Global News Calgary on May 17, 2025.
Current Opportunities
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hiring a Community Engagement Intern that will support a variety of our programs and events throughout the summer in the beautiful Bow Valley! This will be a full-time position from July 2-August 29, 2025. Click here for the full job description and eligibility requirements!
To apply for this position, please send a single pdf file containing a cover letter and resume to Jackie at education@biosphereinstitute.org by 11:59pm on June 9, 2025 with “Community Engagement Intern Application” in the subject line of the email.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join hosts Alberta Equestrian Federation and the Bow Valley Riding Association for their Third Annual 'Share the Trails' event on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 10am-2pm at the Cougar Creek parking lot in Canmore!
Local outdoor recreation organizations will be on site for informal conversations on how we can collectively enjoy Alberta's public trails. Let's collaborate on how to safely, responsibly, and sustainably share the area with the wildlife in the fragile corridor at Indian Flats. Whether you're on horseback, two wheels, with hiking poles, or walking your furry friend, you’ll find information at this Share the Trails event. Alongside the volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, WildSmart will be there with a booth and we look forward to chatting with you!
We invite you to the Jam for Jasper, a fundraiser with Digital Hobo and the Climate Changers in partnership with the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and the Fairmont Banff Springs!
The evening will include a combination of music, education, and stories about wildfire resilience from wildfire refugee Ryan Bray, Banff Fire Chief Keri Martens, and MLA Sara Elmeligi.
May 31, 2025 from 7-10pm at the Banff Springs Hotel - Conference Centre Theatre
Tickets sold on a sliding scale from $20-$100. Click here for tickets!
Funds raised will be used to help us learn from the Jasper experience – and plan accordingly.
May 31 - Green Buildings Open House
Join us for the 2025 Green Buildings Open House on Saturday, May 31 from 11am to 4pm, and explore homes and businesses across the Bow Valley that are leading the way in sustainable, high-performance design. This self-guided tour offers a unique chance to meet the people behind these inspiring spaces and learn firsthand about renewable energy, water-saving systems, and climate-resilient upgrades. Click here for full details and map.
Visit 3+ properties to be entered to win great local prizes—and double your entries if you walk or bike! Don’t miss special options like the Spring Creek Staff Accommodation tour (registration required) or the Community Cruisers bike tour with a Canmore Brewing Co. perk.
June 1 - Family Bear Aware in Banff
The Town of Banff is hosting a Family Bear Aware Session on Sunday, June 1 from 1-3pm at the Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion building, Sundance Park (recreation grounds in Banff). This hands on program will provide you and your family with the information that will prepare you to travel safely in bear country. You will learn about the general characteristics and habits of bears, how to use bear spray and how to enjoy exploring our local trails while being bear prepared. FREE for Banff Residents, $10 for non-residents. Register here online.
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