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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (May 28, 2026)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
This week bears have certainly been in the news and there have been many sightings of both grizzly and black bears throughout the Bow Valley, including near residential areas, and in Kananaskis Country. This has resulted in several new warnings and closures to be put in place. There have also been almost daily reports of multiple bears on the golf courses in and around Canmore and K-Country; even golfers should be carrying bear spray, giving wildlife space and making sure they do NOT leave any food and attractants unattended in their golf carts!
A black bear was tranquilized and relocated on May 23 after feeding on an elk calf near Policeman’s Creek close to downtown Canmore. This sparks a bigger conversation about the dangers of having wildlife in town and how wildlife such as elk should not be in town and should not be dropping their calves in busy urban areas. Too bad for the bear who was doing the right thing (eating an elk calf) in the wrong place (near a very busy downtown area in Canmore). Those elk and calves should be outside of town (where they are supposed to be) so that bears and other carnivores are not drawn into town looking for an easy meal.
RELATED ARTICLE: Black Bear Relocated After Feeding on Elk Calf in Canmore.
The big male bears are out and about, and several family groups of bears have been spotted regularly in the Bow Valley and K-Country, so be extra vigilant and respect these bears by giving them plenty of room to feed undisturbed. Giving bears and wildlife space includes slowing down (not stopping) when driving past bears feeding along the roadside and always staying in your vehicle when taking pictures. 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!
RELATED ARTICLE: Grizzly bear bluff charge closes popular stretch of Kananaskis highway.
On the Trail: Avoid surprise encounters by making lots of noise (yell, shout) to let wildlife know you are coming down the trail to give them time to move off of the trail. It is also a good idea to keep ear buds out for better situational awareness, check behind you to make sure you are not being followed by wildlife, and always carry bear spray in an accessible location, and know how to use it! If you see a bear on a trail, do NOT try to sneak past it. Wait until it leaves or find another way around and have your bear spray ready. All trail users should always be thinking about bears and expecting encounters so that they are mentally prepared to properly handle those encounters. If you know of or have heard of bear activity in a given area, please consider recreating elsewhere!
IMPORTANT: Bears can and will be encountered on busy trails. If a bear is walking down the trail towards you (and if safe to do so), simply try moving off of the trail to let them pass, but always have your bear spray out and ready just in case. If the bear continues past, you were just in the way. If the bear turns to follow you, there is more going on and you should have your bear spray out and be ready to spray the bear.
Black bear in a Bow Valley backyard!
ELK: Aggressive mother elk charging at people getting too close to their calves are being encountered daily in Canmore! As such, an Elk Warning has been put in place for the Spur Line Trail, Larch Island & surrounding areas in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park due to aggressive cow elk. Although a warning is in place for these areas, elk can be encountered anywhere at any time.
Elk calving season runs from May-June and 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, especially if dogs are involved. 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!
This serves as an important reminder to always carry bear spray, be prepared to use it, and keep your pets on a leash and under control at all times. Bear spray should be carried while recreating on the local trails in and around Canmore! When walking with dogs, stay well clear of all elk (we recommend over 100m) and leave the area immediately. As per this article from this time last year, mother elk will charge at dogs from a distance, even when on leash, in order to protect their offspring.
If you do find yourself in the cross hairs of an aggressive cow elk, get some sort of barrier between you and the elk (i.e. larger trees, car, boulders, picnic table, etc.). Do not turn your back on the elk and try and get behind the barrier as quickly as possible.
IMPORTANT: 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 is not far away. The presence of newborn calves can also attract predators such as bears, cougars, wolves and coyotes into town who are looking for an easy meal.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning - Bill Benson Trail and the Lower Lake Trail between William Watson Lodge and Canyon Day Use because of multiple bears in the area.
Wildlife Warning: Pomeroy Hotel, Residences, Woody's Pub, and Surrounding Trails (Kananaskis Village Area) because unattended garbage was accessed by wildlife. It is unknown what species of wildlife accessed the garbage.
Bear Warning: Heart Creek Trail, Heart Creek Bunker Trail and the Trans Canada Trail between the Heart Creek bunker and the access to Grant MacEwan peak/Acephale climbing area because numerous black bears, including a black bear sow and cubs-of-the-year, have been seen in the area and in close proximity to the above trails.
Bear Closure: Terrace Trail from Galatea to the Kananaskis Village as well as a portion of the Kovach Ski Trail near the village due to bear activity in the area.
Bear Warning: Kananaskis Golf Course due to multiple bears frequenting 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
DRIVE CAREFULY AND DON’T CREATE BEAR JAMS: Bears and other animals like elk, deer and sheep continue to be 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, and always stay in your vehicle. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times! Obey all “No Stopping Signs” and if you see one animal be prepared to see more and adjust your speed accordingly. Travel safely and help protect our wildlife (and yourselves) by slowing down, especially during dawn, dusk and night. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
RELATED ARTICLE: Grizzly bear charges visitor in Kananaskis, forcing area closure
RELATED PHOTOS: Sheep spending time roadside.
Black bear feeding roadside and trackside!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Karen is back with some important reminders about Elk Calving season!
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. May 30 - Canmore Engine Bridge
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
MANAGE WILDLIFE ATTRACTANTS: Keep campsites clean and do not leave any wildlife attractants out on site while away from your campsite or overnight. Never leave food unattended - not even for a minute! Garbage, food and scented items need to be stored inside a vehicle, hard sided trailer or bear lockers. A fed bear is a dead bear and one lazy act could cost a bear its life! We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas, campsites and backyards, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or a reason to linger! Don’t be the reason a bear has to be killed because it got into un-natural food sources on your campsite!
RELATED WARNING: Wildlife Warning: Pomeroy Hotel, Residences, Woody's Pub, and Surrounding Trails (Kananaskis Village Area) because unattended garbage was accessed by wildlife. It is unknown what species of wildlife accessed the garbage.
Is your bird feeder still up? Bears are excellent climbers and will follow their noses for an easy meal like bird feed! Please help try to keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by taking your bird feeder down (that includes hummingbird feeders) 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. Bears will go to great lengths to eat the bird seed, as shown in the video below!
Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program - Accessing fruit trees is the number one reason why bears in the Bow Valley are relocated or killed. We are making Canmore safer for people and wildlife by reducing financial barriers to remove and replace fruit trees. 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 replacement incentive is run concurrently with the Fruit Tree Removal Incentive to encourage residents to remove and replace fruit-bearing vegetation from their properties, an important action to ensure that wildlife is kept wild in the Bow Valley. Click here to learn more or apply for the incentive! Applications are open while funds are available.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Be bear aware: Increase in sightings and encounters prompts warnings in K-Country.
UPDATE: Bear cub tranquilized in downtown Canmore and relocated.
Black bear follows hiker in Banff National Park, prompts warning.
Tourists spark outrage by hand-feeding B.C. grizzly bears in social video.
B.C. conservation officers close trails after man injured in black bear attack.
Hikers speak out after grizzly bear encounter caught on camera.
Japan to survey bear populations after surge in attacks on humans.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We’re proud to share that our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors have been shortlisted as a finalist in the Public Education and Outreach category for the 35th Annual Emerald Awards for their efforts in keeping people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country since 2007!
The Emerald Awards bring together people from across Alberta who are working on the solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges, and we’re honoured to be included among them. The ceremony takes place on June 4 at the Calgary Central Library, offering a unique glimpse into the collective work that’s building a more sustainable and resilient future for our province.
From grassroots organizations to major corporations, this year’s 42 shortlisted groups represent 17 communities, showcasing the diversity of impactful environmental initiatives across the province.
The shortlist was carefully selected by a third-party panel of 16 volunteer judges representing a diverse range of industries, regions, and expertise. The panel reviewed and scored each nomination before convening to determine the shortlist and who will be recognized as recipients at the award ceremony—an incredibly difficult task given the outstanding calibre of nominees.
If you’re interested in helping celebrate our work and learn more about the wide range of environmental leadership happening in Alberta, we’d love to have you there on June 4!
Click here to buy your ticket now! Use Promo code: SHORTLIST26 for 50% off!
If you’re unable to attend in person, you can also tune into the livestream by clicking here!
Some of our Wildlife Ambassadors in action in Banff on Sep.6, 2025.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Volunteer with the FireSmart Ambassador Program!
Want to help build a more wildfire-resilient Bow Valley? This summer, the Biosphere Institute is recruiting volunteers for our FireSmart Ambassador Program. Volunteers will support an educational campaign across Canmore, helping residents learn practical ways to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience.
No experience is needed. Flexible shifts, full training, volunteer swag, and appreciation events are all included. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbours, build new skills, and contribute to meaningful local action. Click here to learn more and apply.
A photo of our 2025 FireSmart Ambassadors.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 7 - Banff Recreation and Parks Day. Join the Town of Banff for Recreation and Parks Day at Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi pavilion building in Sundance Park (recreation grounds in Banff) on Sunday June 7 from 10am-2pm! Learn to build spring crowns, sip Japanese Tea, listen to a story with the Banff Library, enjoy a BBQ and more! WildSmart and some Wildlife Ambassadors will be there with a booth and we look forward to chatting with you! Click here for more details and to register for scheduled activities.
June 15 - Birds in Our Backyard & How to Help Them Thrive (Earth Talks). Join us for an engaging, FREE, family-friendly presentation and bird walk with Ann Fu and Gareth Thomson (7:00-8:00pm, Friends Program Room, Canmore Public Library). We’ll begin at the library with a short presentation on the challenges birds face in developed environments and what we can do to reduce our impact at home, at work, and in our community. We’ll then head outdoors to explore the nearby Policeman's Creek boardwalk and trails where participants will practice birdwatching and identification. Space is limited!
Click here to register in advance!
June 20 - Harnessing Power of Food Workshop: Food is Our Teacher. What can food teach us about community, culture, reciprocity, and care? Join us for "Food is Our Teacher" with Tracey Stevens (Îyârhe Nakoda), the first workshop in our 2026 Harnessing the Power of Food series! Together, we’ll explore stories, cultural knowledge, and practical skills while reflecting on how food connects us across generations, cultures, and relationships to place.
📍 Co+Kitchen, Canmore, AB
🕙 10:00am–12:00pm🎟 Sliding scale tickets: $20–50
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