Bear Report - September 25, 2025

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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (Sep.25, 2025)

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

Bears continue to be seen in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country in search of food and a Bear Warning was put in place at the Mt. Shark cross-country ski and bike trails and Watridge Lake Trail due to several reports of a close encounter with a grizzly bear. If there are bears feeding along trails, give them their space (at least 100m), back away, leave the area, don't try and sneak past them and don’t expect bears to move off a food source for you. Bears can be very protective of their food and may exert their dominance if you get too close. We need to do our part and and give them that peace and quiet to feed undisturbed.

Bears will continue to be uber focused on food (luckily that includes berries and other natural foods) and they will be actively seeking food for the next six weeks to fatten up for their winter hibernation. As such, bears will be more likely to take risks, like coming into town and backyards to feed in fruit trees, but that food should not be coming from town and peoples’ yards! Letting a bear access these higher calorie items such as crabapples and mountain ash won't do the bear any favours. Once bears try these food sources they can learn that townsite provides easy meals, meaning they're more likely to stick around and come back. This repeated behaviour can become a public safety issue as bears can get protective of food sources, leading to conflicts between bears and humans, with bears normally paying the price by getting relocated or killed.

Bow Valley residents need to be aware of and concerned that attractants such as fruit trees pose a safety risk to people and the survival of bears! Coexisting with wildlife in the Bow Valley means removing fruit BEFORE it is ripe, and the best long-term solution is to remove the fruit tree. You can also help keep bears alive by securing and removing other wildlife attractants around your home such as taking down birdfeeders, storing pet food inside, cleaning your bbq and ensuring garbage is secured.

 

Female grizzly bear with her cubs down near Elbow Lake in K-Country on Sep.22, 2024.

 

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!

We are in the elk rutting season and people need to give elk lots of space! Male elk will act aggressive towards anything that comes too close, even trucks, as we pictured last week and which happened again in 2023 in Jasper (be sure to read the comments below the post). The best way to keep them at ease is to stay at least 30m away - which is three school bus lengths - never try to sneak past them and never get between a male elk and the female elk.

Elk frequently hang out along trails and in wide open fields such as school yards and playing fields around town, which means you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Remember: keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk or consider using your bear spray. Never approach elk up close as they are wild animals that can react unpredictably! Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood in Canmore, you should be carrying bear spray and keeping your distance from all wildlife!

 

Elk grazing near Riverside Park in Canmore on Sep.25, 2025.

 

SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND

Ever wonder what bears do in September? Learn all about it from our friends at BearWise south of the border. “September at a Glance: Bears enter hyperphagia in September and may look for food up to 20 hours a day. Berries, nuts and acorns are important fall bear foods. Bears can gain two to three pounds a day. Even bears that don’t hibernate eat as if they’re going to. Moms-to-be look for a good birthing den and nursery. Click here to read the full article about What bears do in September.

Larch Viewing: This is the time of year to head up into the alpine looking for larches, but be aware that grizzly bears are up there at this time of year too! There are a couple of things that grizzlies chow down on up in the alpine before they go to bed, and almost all of them are dug up such as ground squirrels, roots and bulbs. So keep an eye out for grizzly bear digs on your larch explorations.

Here are a few responsible behaviours that larch seekers should remember while out on the trails:

  • Always stay on designated trails. There are literally thousands of people out on the trails on the weekends and the alpine environment up there is very fragile.

  • Wear the proper footwear so you’re not grabbing onto trees.

  • Make lots of noise to avoid surprising wildlife - it is not guaranteed and people should exercise caution in the backcountry, have good situational awareness and react appropriately to a bear’s behaviour.

  • Bikers and runners need to be making lots of noise as bears are solely focused on feeding. There have been several recent encounters with people getting into close quarters with bears as they are not making noise on the tails to alert bears they are coming and not giving the bears the opportunity to move off the trail.

  • Reminder that bears in the backcountry are in their natural habitat and people should be respectful by giving them space, particularly if they are seen in their natural habitat. Talk quietly, back away slowly and retreat. Whether it’s along trails in the valley bottoms or up in the alpine, bears need space to feed undisturbed, at least 100 metres (10 school bus lengths).

  • Carry bear spray in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and be prepared to use it!

  • It is advised to keep pets on a leash or consider leaving them at home when hiking in alpine environments to avoid any potentially dangerous encounters with grizzly bears.

  • Leave No Trace and pack out what you pack in.

 

Some beautiful Larch trees in K-Country!

 

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

Living and recreating safely in bear country means understanding many things, from signs that bears are around, to what to do in a bear encounter. As we wander in the wilderness (or even in town sites) we are travelling in a bear’s home: their living areas, dining areas, and even their bathrooms. 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, and 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 Cow Parsnip.

At this time of year, as berry season fades in the valleys and frost kills the berry plants, most Grizzlies are now up in the alpine. Now that they’re up there, the first and easiest plant they’ll find to eat is Cow Parsnip with their tall, distinctive white flowers. Remember, bears hunt with their noses and Cow Parsnip flowers… stink. Find a marshy, wet spot, or creek or river course anywhere in K-Country, and you’ll find Cow Parsnip. You can’t miss it by late September; it has grown to 6’ tall before deep freezes (which we have not had yet) kill it off. And best for bears: the roots are still edible after it’s dead. Grizzlies eat Cow Parsnip in both spring and fall shoulder seasons. All parts of the Cow Parsnip are edible for bears. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Cow Parnsip!

 

Click on this image of Cow Parsnip to read the 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: their locations may change at the last minute.

September 28 - Banff Ave Brew Co. Taproom from 2-6pm.

This is the final weekend (until Sep.30) where $1 from every 16 oz Rider’s Signet-ure Dragon Fruit Kölsch sold goes directly to support our work in human-wildlife coexistence! A huge thank you to Banff Ave Brewing Co. for choosing the Biosphere Institute as beneficiary of their Community Beer program. WildSmart will be there so come treat yourself to something freshly juicy and chat with us!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

As winter draws near, 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 killed. If there are any houses with fruit trees in your neighbourhood, we urge you to start having friendly conversations (not confrontations) with them about the importance of removing fruit to keep people and bears safe in the Bow Valley.

  • Need help removing the fruit? WildSmart has pruning shears, extendable pole saw pruners and fruit pickers that can be borrowed (free of charge) to assist Bow Valley residents in removing that hard to reach fruit. Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit removal equipment.

  • Don’t know where to put the picked fruit? Remove all fruit from branches. Picked fruit can be put in the residential food waste bins around town. Leaves, branches and clippings can be put in the appropriate bins at the 115 Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot. Please note that they do not accept branches with fruit, as they attract wildlife. You can also use the fruit to make delicious jams, jellies and baked goods and liqueurs.

  • Apply for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive: Picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree! There is still plenty of 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! Get up to $500 per property for removing fruit trees. Condos or commercial properties that remove 5 or more trees may be eligible for up to $1,000. The same reimbursement amounts are available for fruit tree replacement. These programs are first-come first-served while funds are available. Click here for more details!

Canmore Residents: Remove your fruit trees or their fruit, or you may face steep fines and be responsible for killing a bear! To find out more about the fines associated with allowing wildlife attractants such as fruit to accumulate on trees and on the ground, view and download the Community Standards Bylaw here.

 

Black bear feeding in a Mountain Ash tree in the Rundleview area in Canmore on Sep.15, 2024.

 

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

The winner of Fat Bear Week Jr. is 128's Yearling (see photo below)! This large and tall-bodied female cub has dark brown fur and a prominent shoulder hump. Her mother, Bear 128 (aka Grazer) was crowned the champion of Fat Bear Week 2024, and she is competing again this year!

Grazer’s yearling has discovered that fishing at Brooks River comes with risk as well as success. As a vulnerable spring cub in 2024, she witnessed and survived another bear’s fatal attack on her sibling. Grazer’s yearling has since thrived under her mother’s guidance and care. She has grown into a large yearling bear who likely weighs more than 200 pounds (91 kg). The duo has fished successfully throughout the river, including many of the most productive fishing spots. The yearling has also continued to refine her fishing and social skills as she’s grown. These lessons come at a critical time as she could be surviving on her own next year as her mother has sometimes separated from her offspring in the spring of her cubs’ third year.

Fat Bear Week is underway as some of the chunkiest bears on the planet fatten up for their long winter slumber. All votes are cast at fatbearweek.org in this March-madness style bracket competition in which bears compete daily in head-to-head matchups for the title of 2025 Fat Bear Week Champion. Click here to meet the Bears! This is a single elimination tournament. For each match-up, vote for the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round. Only one will be crowned champion of Fat Bear Week on Sep.30, 2025. Watch this video about the Fat Bear Week contenders.

 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 1 & 2 - Municipal All-Candidates Forums on the Environment

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley will host two All-Candidates Forums on the Environment in advance of the upcoming municipal elections. These FREE forums are your opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their plans to address the Bow Valley’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our ED Gareth Thomson will facilitate the conversations, with questions developed in collaboration with local environmental organizations. Donations to help cover venue and A/V costs will be gratefully received. 

Banff Forum - Wednesday, October 1, 7-9 p.m.
Catherine Robb Whyte Building, Pioneer Room. Click here for the List of Questions for Banff.
Banff Livestream Link

Canmore Forum - Thursday, October 2 | 7–9 p.m.
Canmore Seniors’ Association, Creekside Hall. Click here for the List of Questions for Canmore. 
Canmore Livestream Link

 
 

October 2-19 - EV’s are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour in Canmore!

The 2025 EV’s are for Everyone Cross-Canada Tour is in Banff now and coming to Canmore on Oct.2-19! During the event you can connect with Plug’n Drive EV ambassadors, get your questions answered, and experience the latest in electric vehicle technology. Test drives will be available in a lineup of EVs from leading manufacturers! Click below to book your test drive appointment—drop-ins are welcome, but priority will be given to scheduled visitors.

Banff MEET - Click Here to Book your Banff Test Drive!
This event will take place in Banff from Sep.25-28, 2025, 10am-5pm at the Banff Train Station.

Canmore MEET - Click Here to Book your Canmore Test Drive!
This event will take place in Canmore from Oct.2-19, 2025, every Thursday to Sunday from 10am-5pm at the Canmore Recreation Centre.

 
 

November 21 - Do-Si-Do for the Biosphere Institute: Square Dance Fundraiser

Please join us for some boot stompin' fun at our third annual Square Dance Community Fundraiser! The most fun you can have with your boots on - Friday November 21, 2025.
Doors open: 6:30 PM at the Cornerstone Theatre | Dance begins at 7:30 PM
General Admission: $45+fees | Early bird tickets: $35+fees 

We will provide you with an incredible live band, light snacks, prizes, silent auction, and so much laughing your belly will hurt the next day! No prior experience necessary – All are welcome! Please let us know if you have any accessibility concerns that we should know about. If affordability is a barrier, please reach out to resource@biosphereinstitute.org. Fire in the hole!

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