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 (Sep.21-28, 2023)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Unfortunately bears continue to be in the news this past week as they were seen regularly in residential areas throughout the Bow Valley, as well as down in Kananaskis Country. They are actively searching for food for the next six weeks to fatten up for their winter hibernation. Three things to consider:
A black bear was captured and euthanized last Saturday in the Cougar Creek area after repeatedly feeding in fruit trees throughout Canmore.
Prominent Grizzly Bear 122, aka 'The Boss', has been feasting on crabapples in Banff.
Reports of a grizzly bear bluff-charging two women in a surprise encounter prompted a warning for the Tent Ridge Loop in Spray Valley Provincial Park.
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 forbidden fruit BEFORE it is ripe, and the best long-term solution is to remove the fruit tree and replace it with a non-fruit-bearing alternative.
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.
Bears are so focused on food this time of year that they are more likely to take risks, like coming into town and backyards to feed in fruit trees. Letting a bear access these higher calorie items such as crabapples won't do it any favours. If they try these food sources they can learn that human-inhabited areas provide easy meals, meaning they're more likely to stick around. This 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 destroyed. Learn more at keepwildlifealive.ca.
Recent photo of a grizzly bear feasting on crabapples in Quesnel, B.C. Courtesy of Julie Dorge (@juliedorgephotography)
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 recently in Jasper (be sure to read the comments and watch the video below the truck pictures in the link). 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. Remember to keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray in an easily accessible location, and if an elk charges, consider using your bear spray or position a large object (e.g. car, large tree) between you and the elk.
Image downloaded from the September 28, 2023 edition of the RM Outlook.
Bow hunting season is now open in the Bow Valley so please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Hunters need to be 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!
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
With the probability of running into a bear in Canmore still being high, plus the fact that there continue to be reports in Canmore of large rutting bull elk showing aggression towards people, residents and visitors should be carrying bear spray with them out on the trails, even if they are going for a leisurely walk around town.
THERE IS NO REASON WHY PEOPLE SHOULD BE APPROACHING ELK, especially to take pictures! The photo below was taken last weekend near Riverside Park in Canmore and it shows some key behaviours that are both dangerous and disrepectful towards wildlife.
The people are much too close (far less than 3 school bus lengths) trying to take a photo.
The people are blocking their path and preventing the elk from getting out of the river, stressing them out and causing them to burn extra calories to stay warm in the cold water and fight against the current.
The off-leash dog is stressing the elk out and could start chasing the elk at any moment.
It is hard to see clearly but no one seems to be carrying bear spray.
It would be great to see some residents have friendly conversations (not confrontations) with these folks to help educate them about appropriate human-wildlife coexistence behaviours to keep people and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley!
This photo shows people getting much too close to elk, blocking the elk and walking a dog off-leash in Canmore last weekend! Photo by Shelley.
CALLING ALL TRAIL USERS WITH DOGS!
Please help us out with a research project that will contribute to efforts to improve human-wildlife interactions along Bow Valley and Kananaskis trails! The University of Alberta is completing research on recreational trail use in the Kananaskis, Spray and Bow Valleys, which includes trail users’ opinions about trail use and wildlife corridors. Their survey, titled the “Kananaskis Wildlife and Trail Survey” (open Aug 4-Oct 15), focuses on the types of trails recreationists value as well as how potential encounters with bears, as well as trail designation and wayfinding, are incorporated into trail users’ decision making.
Trail Users with Dogs: Please complete this 15-minute online survey that is geared towards trail user choice related to dogs (on leash and off leash).
Click on image for the Kananaskis Wildlife & Trail Survey geared towards trail users with dogs.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek has some great reminders about being respectful of the wildlife who call this area their home.
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 to talk to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Note: the locations they go to may change at the last minute. Here is where they will be next…
Our Wildlife Ambassadors will be out and about in Canmore this weekend talking to residents and visitors about they can help improve human-wildlife coexistence through simple actions such as giving wildlife space, keeping dogs on a leash and removing attractants such as fruit trees and garbage!
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!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Banff-Kananaskis MLA calls on province to fill human-wildlife conflict position.
Black bear devours picnic as family freeze to keep themselves safe near Monterrey, Mexico.
Cougar caught on camera in southwest Calgary.
Bear euthanized after Sunday capture in downtown Langley, B.C.
Help keep bears out of harm’s way in the Kootenays.
Bear cubs play tag around backyard pool in Prince George, B.C.
Brown bear cubs in Japan die of starvation amid salmon shortage due to climate change.
Blissful black bear blows bubbles in backyard pond.
Alaska’s Fat Bear Week is back — here’s how to vote for your favorite furry chubbo.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Bears continue to be seen feeding in fruit trees throughout Canmore! This brings wildlife and humans close together and creates a concern for public and wildlife safety. Bears that get into fruit trees can cause extensive damage to the trees with the end result of the tree dying and often having to be replaced. Being proactive and removing the fruit before a bear gets to it could save your tree from getting destroyed by a bear and could prevent a bear from getting relocated or destroyed. Relocated bears generally have a fairly low chance of survival (around 30%), but moving a bear in the fall is especially difficult. More info on the Alberta BearSmart Fruit Trees and Bears fact sheet.
This video of a black bear feeding in a cherry tree was taken a couple of weeks ago in Canmore.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We had a great time on Sunday at the Love Your Lake Community Cleanup at Quarry Lake! Over 100 residents and visitors were able to learn from Biosphere Institute staff, Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors and Town of Canmore Municipal Enforcement Officers about important ways to improve human-wildlife coexistence such as managing/securing wildlife attractants around town and in backyards (i.e. securing garbage and removing fruit trees), responsible trail use, keeping dogs on a leash and giving wildlife space. Participants, both young and old, also got a chance to get some hands-on bear spray training. Thanks to all those who came out, we had a blast!
Click here to view the RM Outlook Photo Gallery of these Good Samaritans who helped with cleaning up at Quarry Lake.
Wildlife Ambassadors in action chatting with folks on Sunday at Quarry Lake.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 11 - Accelerating Climate Action in the Bow Valley (1-5pm, Canmore Coast Hotel)
Join us for Accelerating Climate Action in the Bow Valley on October 11, 2023, for an afternoon of of presentations, sharing, connection and community climate action! There is a lot of fantastic work that is currently happening in in the Bow Valley - we're bringing the whole community together to celebrate, strengthen and amplify it! This meeting will bring together businesses, not-for profit organizations, government agencies and other sectors of the Bow Valley community to take climate action and simultaneously address social, economic and health issues in the Bow Valley.
Register for free below to reserve your place now. Click here for event details!
As we transition out of Canada’s worst wildfire season, we invite you to join us for a presentation and discussion on October 16, 2023 at 7pm at the Canmore Public Library. Cliff Whyte will be sharing about the current state of our forest in terms of fire, how we got here, and what we might be able to do about it. If you cannot join in person, tune in online through Zoom. Register here.
November 5 & 6 - Building for Sustainability Symposium (Malcolm Hotel, Canmore)
Please join the Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for the 1st Annual Building for Sustainability Symposium.
Join colleagues, industry professionals, administration and elected officials from throughout the region. You will hear from diverse voices on how appropriate urban design, land use planning, building location, and density can support environmental, social AND economic sustainability.
Great networking opportunities will be provided throughout the event. Let's create a less polarized, more resilient community.
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