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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!
BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (July 3, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There have been lots of black bear sightings throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country along trails, roads, in and around town and in the valley bottoms where most of their available food is located. There has been an increase in bear sightings at the Grassi Lakes Trail near Canmore and a bear warning has been put in place. No negative interactions, just numerous sightings.
Buffaloberry bushes (Shepherdia) on the sunny side of the Bow Valley have ripe berries on them and berry season is right around the corner. As more people head out into bear country to go camping, hiking and picnicking, not only are the roads getting busier, but there is an increased chance of bears and other wildlife accessing food and garbage that is improperly stored or left unattended.
Do not leave attractants unattended and don’t be the reason for wildlife having to be destroyed! Reminder to campers to be diligent in keeping ALL wildlife attractants secure from bears including food, garbage, recycling, pet food and any other scented items. Lock them in vehicles, hard-sided trailers or bear-proof storage lockers and never leave these items unattended, even for a minute. Never leave food and scented items in tents as bears can easily access them. Always dispose of garbage in bear-proof bins. We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas and campsites, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or reason to linger!
On the trail: People need to mentally prepare themselves for encounters and remember to make lots of noise, travel in a group (ideally 4 or more), keep pets on a leash, carry bear spray and be prepared to use it in case of a close encounter. Knowing what to do when you encounter a bear is key! Even if you are going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood you should be carrying bear spray.
It is important to remember that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in areas with an active warning or closure in place) so you should always be expecting to run into a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country!
Mother grizzly bear with cub in K-Country on July 2, 2025.
On the road: Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and create bear jams. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear that is roadside. It stresses out and disturbs the bear, and is potentially dangerous for you, the bear and other motorists. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times and do not linger near wildlife feeding roadside - keep moving along! Be extra vigilant at dawn, dusk and during night time hours to avoid collisions with wildlife. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
Elk calving season is winding down but that does not mean people should become complacent as mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened by people getting too close to their young! Be aware of your surroundings, even on popular and well visited trails around town and along the river. Never approach elk for any reason, stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk. If you see any elk, immediately leave the area and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM on a trail! Even bikers should not be trying to sneak past elk on the trails. Keep pets on a leash and it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride around Canmore.
Some elk calves up and running around in Canmore. Archived photo.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning - Grassi Lakes Trail System and Reclaimer Trail due to an increase in black bear activity for the Grassi Lakes Trail System and surrounding area.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
It is very important to properly manage wildlife attractants such as food and garbage while hiking, camping and at Day Use Areas. If you see garbage on the ground, pick it up and put it in a bear-proof bin. If the bin is full, take the garbage home with you, but never leave garbage on the ground. Do not let bears and other wildlife get any food rewards as a Fed Bear is a Dead Bear! If you are sitting at your table eating and a bear starts approaching your food and table. Do your best to deter the bear by yelling and/or using your bear spray to prevent it from getting your food. If safe to do so, try moving your food into your hard-sided vehicle/trailer or locker nearby to prevent the bear from getting that food reward. Your safety and the bear’s life might depend on it!
Remember to give wildlife the space they need, which is at least 100 metres for carnivores such as bears! That includes bears feeding roadside, elk feeding along trails, squirrels looking for food and bighorn sheep standing in the middle of the road. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Be sure to slow down appropriately while passing wildlife roadside but do not stop. Stay in your vehicle and keep moving to avoid putting any unwanted stress on the animals. Never feed wildlife or encourage wildlife to come closer to you or your vehicle. That includes smaller animals such as squirrels when you are out having your picnic.
This video really emphasizes the importance of giving wildlife the space they need and deserve!
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 Vetch.
Ask most folks what a bear’s favourite food is, and “berries” are always among the top answers. But it’s not berry season yet, and won’t be until later this month. The Dandelions are starting to go away (even in my neighbour’s yard). Between the end of Dandelion season & the core of berry season, bears start to take advantage of the roots of the fresh growing plants.
One of the plant families they like is the pea family. The common name of the most popular food is Sweet-Vetch, with the Latin family name Hedysarum. Grizzlies LOVE to dig for the roots of these plants, especially in the spring and fall outside of berry season. In central BC, where there are fewer berries, studies have shown Hedysarum is actually their main summer food source. The picture below is of Hedysarum. Like most patches of Hedysarum you’ll find in the alpine, it had old bear digs next to it. Click here to read Derek’s full article about Vetch!
Click on this image of Vetch (Hedysarum) 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: their locations may change at the last minute. July 5 - Grassi Lakes Trail near Canmore.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Buffaloberries have started to show up and will continue to ripen in the weeks to come. At this rate, we will be in berry season within the next couple of weeks! Please be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. Your tree blossoms will blossom into bear problems later! 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 destroyed.
These buffaloberries are almost ripe. Photo taken on July 3, 2025 in Riverside Park, Canmore.
To make Canmore safer for wildlife and people, the Town of Canmore is once again offering their Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program this year to cover 100% of the cost of tree removal up to $500/property. For 2025 only, condos or commercial properties with five or more trees for removal may be eligible for additional support up to $1,000/property. Don't wait for the fruit to start growing, remove them early. The program is first-come first-served while funds are available. Click here for details and how to apply.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
WildSmart was on Global TV Calgary to talk about Avoiding dangerous bear encounters within campgrounds.
Grand Teton tourist dives headfirst through open car window to avoid grizzly bear.
Shinkansen bullet train hits bear and services get delayed in northeast Japan.
Bear kills motorcyclist in Romanian mountains.
CO’s respond to cougar following incident in Williams Lake, B.C.
Video shows bear swimming with 2 cubs on its back in Massachusetts (we apologize for the language but the bears on her back look very cool and cute).
New proposal calls for B.C. grizzly on Texada Island to be moved to Bute Inlet.
Bear family spotted roaming Kelowna's Glenmore neighbourhood.
Bear in Colorado Destroys Interior of Car Looking for Food.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
Banff Ave Brewing Co. Charity Tap - Cheers to Local Conservation!
A huge thank you to Banff Ave Brewing Co. for choosing the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and WildSmart as beneficiaries of their Community Beer program!
Did You Know? From July to September, $1 from every 16 oz Rider’s Signet-ure Dragon Fruit Kölsch goes directly to support our work in environmental education and human-wildlife coexistence. Your pint helps make a real difference in the Bow Valley supporting local conservation efforts, community engagement, and a more sustainable future.
Thank you, Banff Ave Brewing Co., for your incredible support!
Our Charity Brew - the Rider’s Signet-ure Dragon Fruit Kölsch.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join Alberta Parks staff for their Parks Day celebration on Saturday July 19 from 12-3pm at Boulton Bridge Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This free family friendly public event will have a variety of talks, games, interactive displays, a LIVE Interpretive Show, guided bear walks and much more! Our Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there with their hands-on interactive booth. Come on by, learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use, managing wildlife attractants, and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence. Click here for the schedule of events and more info!
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