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 (April 24, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
We’re still buzzing from a very successful and well attended Bear Day on April 12! Thanks to everyone who came out and all our volunteers and presenters - more on that later in this report. Bear activity continues to slowly increase as reports of tracks and bears (both black and grizzly bears) moving around on the landscape in the Bow Valley and in Kananaskis Country continue to roll in. Sightings will likely increase over the next few weeks as the weather gets warmer, more people head out on the landscape and more bears emerge from their dens.
Females with cubs will be emerging from their dens in the coming weeks and they will be very protective of their young. It is very important to give these new mothers and their young, and ALL wildlife, lots of space! Here is an example of a mother bear charging at a truck to protect her cubs from this time last year!
At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. This can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! As such, all recreationists should always be expecting to encounter bears and mentally plan for this, which includes carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.
Fresh grizzly bear track near the West Bragg Creek Parking Lot on April 19, 2025.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
There are several Annual Area Closures in Banff National Park that can be found by clicking here.
There are seasonal closures in Kananaskis as well - refresh yourself on where they are here.
You can also submit your report using the Report-A-Poacher Online form or contact your local district Fish and Wildlife office.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Since we are all sharing the valley bottoms at this time of year, there is an increased chance of encountering wildlife, and you need to be properly prepared! Always remain vigilant and remember these tips for responsible trail use and to reduce the risk of close encounters with wildlife:
Make lots of noise to alert wildlife to your presence. The human voice is the best tool!
Travel in a group, keep children close by and avoid heading out at dusk, dawn or night when wildlife is most active.
GIVE WILDLIFE SPACE! Always stay a minimum of 30 metres (or 3 school bus lengths) from ungulates like deer, elk, moose and sheep and 100 metres (or 10 school bus lengths) from carnivores like bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes.
Be aware of your surroundings (look and listen for wildlife and their signs, including tracks and scat). That includes not wearing earbuds/headphones, which will limit your ability to hear approaching humans AND wildlife.
KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH unless you are in a designated off-leash dog area. Practice being able to pull out your bear spray while holding your dog on a leash in case of an encounter, or consider leaving your dog at home. Always pick up after your dogs as their feces can act as an attractant for bears. Never leave doggy poop bags on the trail - throw them in the garbage.
Give wildlife space by NOT entering closed areas, and be extra vigilant when entering areas with active warnings in place!
Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, know how to use it and be prepared to use it. Make sure it is not expired, and if you need to refresh your memory on the proper use of bear spray, we have an excellent video on our website. Bear spray should be carried while walking on well-travelled trails, including the trails in and around town; it is also effective against non-hibernating wildlife such as cougars, wolves, coyotes and elk.
Question: Have you checked to see if your bear spray is expired?
Double check to make sure your can of bear spray has not expired! If it is expired, it is time to buy a new one!
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. Saturday, April 26 - Troll Falls
Keep an eye out for the Wildlife Ambassadors next time you are out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country and be sure to say ‘hi’ and have a chat with them!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Never approach or feed any wildlife (including squirrels), and always pack out what you pack in. Indirectly feeding wildlife by being careless and leaving garbage out is just as bad as directly feeding wildlife. The end result is the same in both cases – the animal will likely have to be relocated or killed. Ensure that all attractants such as food, garbage, recycling, bird feeders, pets, pet food and greasy BBQ's are secure and not accessible by wildlife at home and out on the trails. Bears are especially hungry at this time of year and always searching for food so please do not draw them into residential areas, picnic areas or campsites by providing them with any sort of a meal.
Now that bears have started emerging from their dens, you can help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeders down and cleaning up the ground underneath! The Town of Canmore Community Standards Bylaw only allows bird feeders to be hung from December 1 to March 31. Click here for details.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Legendary grizzly 'The Boss' and other Alberta bears emerging from winter dens.
PHOTOS/VIDEO of Bear Day at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Albertans warned bears are emerging from dens as hibernation ends.
Bear safety: How to protect yourself and wildlife this spring.
GPS collared wolf from Banff National Park killed in trapline on provincial lands.
‘It was frightening’: Cougar follows Nanaimo woman while riding bike.
12 goats killed by bear in Maple Ridge, B.C.
Bear searching for food damages Colorado resident's car.
B.C. court upholds jail time and $11k fine for man who killed bear sow and cub in Tofino.
Trail Cam Video Captures the Moment a Black Bear Pounces on a Fawn.
Man shoots and kills grizzly bear in north-central Montana.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
WildSmart and Alberta Parks hosted Bear Day on April 12 at the Canmore Nordic Centre and it was a big hit! We saw over 500 visitors attend to learn about bears and bear safety, despite the snowy weather, to prepare themselves for the upcoming bear season.
This included learning how to use bear spray, a bear trapping demo, bear awareness hikes, wildlife safety talks, talks about Aversive Conditioning in K-Country and fRI’s Grizzly Bear Monitoring Project, kids' bear storytimes, a make your own bear scat activity, viewing grizzly bear and other bear-related displays, learning about “Enhancing Grizzly Bear Managment with Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Monitoring”, discussing the importance of removing fruit trees with our Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors and Town of Canmore staff, and chatting with the amazing volunteers involved with bear monitoring, telemetry, remote cameras, aversive conditioning and the Wildlife Ambassador program.
One of the many bear spray demos at Bear Day led by Fish & Wildlife officers and Park Rangers.
The Conservation Officers and Park Rangers in action during the Bear trapping demonstration at Bear Day.
Thank you to all those who attended and all the volunteers and presenters who helped make the event a success! Special thanks to Kodiak Wildlife Products for donating bear spray and holsters for the draw prizes, and to Kare-Bear who did an amzaing job again as the WildSmart bear! Please save Saturday April 18, 2026 in your calendar for Bear Day next year.
The RM Outlook put together a great video of Bear Day below….enjoy!
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 4 - Not the End of the World Concert & Open Mic
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by negativity in the media? Do you sometimes feel like there is little to no hope for the future? Well the Biosphere Institute’s Future Leaders Youth Council has some good news for you: this is NOT the End of the World!
Not the End of the World is an event that highlights the very real feelings of eco-anxiety, and climate related grief that we all know too well. This open mic/concert night will engage community members by coming together to enjoy live music while learning what the Future Leaders Youth Council is all about. Special performances by The Ducks, Irene Poole, and Digital Hobo! Light snacks provided. This event is free for youth (24 and under) and by donation for everyone else. Click here to Register Now!
Join the Town of Canmore and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 4-9pm at Elevation Place for a fun and educational Share and Repair Fair promoting a circular economy Canmore. This is a FREE community event that includes a free clothing swap, light snacks, live music, on-site repairs, workshops, a trash pageant, prizes, and more!
To learn more - click here now! You can RSVP for free to save your spot and be entered to win a prize! Further questions, comments or concerns? Contact tanya@biosphereinstitute.org
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