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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (Nov.6, 2025)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
Some black bears continue to be reported moving around the Bow Valley, while others have denned, or are staying near their dens. In Kananaskis Country, a few collared female grizzly bears appear to have denned, and others are close and remain at or near their den sites. That being said, other collared (and non-collared) grizzlies (male and female) continue to be seen moving around at lower elevations searching for last minute calories. Remote camera and collar data have shown that some males like to stay out on the landscape into mid-December, and even into January (for instance “The Boss” is often seen along the Great Divide ski trail by Lake Louise until at least the New Year).
With this in mind, it is important that we don’t become complacent when heading out on the trails and that we are mentally prepared for possible encounters with wildlife! Remember to carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location (not in your backpack), know how to use it and use it if required.
SLOW DOWN: Drivers need to take extra care and heed warning when they see wildlife signage showing wildlife on the road and remember to drive carefully, obey speed limits, and scan for wildlife that may be feeding or lingering roadside. Motorists need to be extra alert (especially at dawn and dusk) as the days are getting shorter and the number of darkness hours are increasing.
One year ago, one of the largest male grizzly bears from Banff National Park, aka “The Boss”, ventured east on Nov.3, 2024 and was seen eating crabapples during the day in Harvie Heights. Later that evening, he continued east and several residents, especially dog-walkers, were surprised and shocked to see the large bruin cruising down the streets of the Cougar Creek neighbourhood in Canmore. WATCH THIS VIDEO of the “The Boss” causing a stir in Canmore. Municipal enforcement officers monitored the bear as it was travelling through town and reported it was not accessing wildlife attractants and was not acting aggressive. The large grizzly bear safely wandered back through Harvie Heights on Nov.4, 2024 heading westbound into Banff National Park again.
This serves as a reminder that:
Bears are still out and about in November, so always be prepared and carry bear spray!
It is crucial to make sure you do not have any attractants such as fruit (on trees and on the ground), garbage, pet food, bird feeders, compost, greasy bbqs and pumpkins on your property!
The whole community has a responsibility in removing wildlife attractants to keep people and wildlife safe!
Black bear sitting in a Juniper bush eating berries in Kootenay National Park on Oct.20, 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!
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING WILDLIFE: Many people believe that reporting a bear in town, especially your backyard, is a death sentence for that bear. The truth is quite the opposite. By not reporting a bear, you are allowing the bear to learn bad behaviours (such as feeding in fruit trees, lingering in backyards, feeding at bird feeders, eating pet food, eating garbage etc.) and you teach the bear that it is OK to come into town and eat unnatural food sources - when in fact it is not OK and it will eventually lead to its death.
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
The elk rut is over but numerous elk continue to be seen all throughout town which means you have to be alert and you may have to choose an alternate route while out for a walk/run/ride. Give plenty of space to ALL ELK (at least 30 metres or 3 bus lengths) and do not try to sneak past them on the trail! Never approach elk for ANY reason and keep your pets on a leash.
Remember: Always 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!
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! Bear spray can save the life of the hunter AND the bear(s).
Related article: Alberta hunter recalls own grizzly bear close call, urges hunting safety.
Big bull elk grazing at the Canmore Recreation Centre!
Bear den locations may surprise you. When you think about a bear den, what comes to mind? A hollow tree? A cozy cave? How about a pile of abandoned tires? Or under your porch? Bears can den up in all those places and many more. Bears are flexible, creative and opportunistic; they will crawl into dens anywhere they feel safe and out of sight. Click here to find out more from BearWise.
Related article: Bear kicked out of den at popular Banff ski resort 'to ensure public safety'.
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek gets up close with some bear poop, let’s see what we can find out!
A not so little present left behind by “The Boss” on Nov.4, 2024. Definitely some fruit in there…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
If you have not already done so, please dispose of your pumpkins properly and do not leave them outside inviting them to get smashed up by pranksters or eaten by wildlife. You don’t want to attract a visitor to your door after Halloween like in this video. In Canmore, pumpkins should be disposed of in the bear-proof Residential Food Waste Containers and remember to remove candles and other non-organic decorations! IMPORTANT: Do not leave pumpkins on the ground next to bins if they are full! In Canmore. Call 403.678.1580 if you see a bin that needs to be emptied. In Banff, if the bins are full, call 403.762.1240 or report it online at banff.ca/action.
Back to last fall’s story of “The Boss” coming to Canmore on Nov.3, 2024 that was mentioned earlier in this report, we want to emphazise a few very important points that came from the large male grizzly bear wandering into Harvie Heights and Canmore:
The first call that residents should be making when they see a bear in their backyard or neighbourhood should be to report it to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. That first phone call should NOT be to Commercial Photographers who will flock to see the bear.
By reporting the bear, you are actually helping to keep that bear out of trouble by preventing it from learning bad behaviours that could get it killed. If you want to help save bears, report all sightings of bears in town!
The whole community has a responsibility in removing wildlife attractants to keep people and wildlife safe! It is crucial to make sure you do not have any attractants such as fruit (on trees and on the ground), garbage, pet food, bird feeders, compost, greasy bbqs and pumpkins on your property! You don't want to be responsible for drawing a bear like the Boss into town and getting him into trouble...not to mention the potential public safety concerns.
If you have a fruit tree, such as a crabapple (including ornamental crabapples), mountain ash or chokecherry - picking fruit every year is a lot of work so the recommended long-term solution is to remove your fruit tree. There is still 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! These programs are first-come first-served while funds are available.
Click here to view a handy Fruit-Bearing Trees & Shrubs Identification Guide!
Large male grizzly bear ‘The Boss’ in Harvie Heights one-year ago on Nov.3, 2024.
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Bear denning at Banff National Park ski hill relocated for public safety.
3 grizzly cubs found in area of bear attack will be left alone for hibernation.
Hunter seriously injured in bear attack south of Cochrane now in stable condition.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers search for ‘dangerous bear’ west of Calgary.
Banff-Kananaskis MLA, minister go head-to-head over grizzly bear management.
‘All options on the table’ to manage grizzlies, including lifting hunting ban.
Bicyclists come face-to-face with cougar in trail encounter in California.
Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks.
Northern Ontario polar bear chows down on a massive pumpkin.
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
A Quirky Climate Fashion Success!
The Mountain Grannies and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley hosted A Quirky Climate Fashion Show on October 30 at Creekside Hall in Canmore. With just over 100 attendees, we raised over $3,200 for the Biosphere Institute and the Stephen Lewis Foundation! We had a hoot, and the room was buzzing with appreciation for the creativity, humour, and learning on the runway. Together, we laughed, listened, and learned about climate change, wildlife, and both local and global impacts. Overall, the evening was a joyful reminder that art truly matters in inspiring change, and as a community, together we are stronger! Click here to see some photos taken by the RM Outlook, and enjoy the short video below.
Video credit: Jungmin Ham (Rocky Mountain Outlook)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join John Paczkowski, Human Wildlife Coexistence Team Lead with Alberta Forestry & Parks for a presentation on fireguards and firesmarting followed by a panel discussion with Cliff White, Consultant, Bill Hunt, Senior Director of Conservation at Y2Y, and Caitlin Miller, Director of Emergency Management for the Town of Canmore. The panel discussion will be moderated by Gareth Thomson, Executive Director at the Biosphere Institute.
This FREE Earth Talks event, with the Biosphere Institute, will take place on Monday, November 17 at 7pm in the Friends Program Room at the Canmore Public Library. Registration is required to attend in-person, or you can join online LIVE via Zoom by clicking here.
Attendees Will Learn:
how carefully planned and executed fireguards and fuel reduction projects can have long term benefits for an array of wildlife species
how strategically removing the forest canopy can improve the productivity of vegetation preferred by large mammals
how fire guards and fuel reduction projects in the Bow Valley will not only reduce the risk of wildfire but provide good habitat for wildlife outside of town, which will help to reduce human wildlife conflict
About the Presenter: John Paczkowski is the Human Wildlife Coexistence Team Lead with Alberta Forestry and Parks in the Kananaskis Region. He has been studying wildlife, mostly bears, for the last 30 years. John is also on the Board of Directors for the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. He lives and works in Canmore.
Nov.21 - Do-Si-Do for the Biosphere Institute: Square Dance Fundraiser
Dust off your boots for a night of toe-tappin’ fun featuring live music, light snacks, prizes, and a lively square dance led by a professional caller. No experience needed.
There will be a cash bar with a special contribution from Wild Life Distillery, and plenty of chances to win big with our Silent Auction, Draw Prizes and 50/50 draw. Fire in the hole!
Friday November 21, 2025.
Doors open: 6:30 PM at the Cornerstone Theatre | Dancing starts at 7:30 PM
General Admission: $45 + fees
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