To report a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in Kananaskis or the Bow Valley please contact Kananaskis Emergency Services (403) 591-7755. To report sightings in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks please contact Banff Dispatch at (403) 762-1470.

 

WildSmart is a proactive conservation program that encourages efforts by Bow Valley communities to reduce negative human-wildlife interactions.

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The Bow Valley is home to over 25,000 people. It is also a major movement corridor for grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, wolves, elk, coyotes, and other large mammals.

As wildlife and people compete for a finite amount of space, numerous interactions occur. Although most are harmless, some can pose a serious threat to both people and wildlife, resulting in human injury, property damage, and/or dead or relocated animals.

WildSmart leads diverse Education and Outreach efforts to raise public awareness and empower citizens to coexist safely with wildlife. We also train enthusiastic volunteers to share their knowledge with their peers by becoming Wildlife Ambassadors.

Check out our real-time resources, such as the Bear Report and Trail Closures and Warnings, as well a variety of information guides about how you can keep yourself and wildlife safe in the Bow Valley.

The Biosphere Institute implements WildSmart in close collaboration with Alberta Environment and Parks, the Town of Canmore, and the Municipal District of Bighorn.

 

education and outreach

We offer a variety of programs that teach residents and visitors to live smart with wildlife. Programs include bear spray training sessions, wildlife awareness talks, classroom programs and interactive booths for youth, families, outdoor educators, people employed in the recreation and tourism industry, and outdoor recreationalists.


wildlife ambassadors

The Wildlife Ambassadors are dedicated volunteers who rove trails throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, providing wildlife ecology and safety information to visitors and locals. WildSmart has been working with Alberta Parks since 2007 to facilitate this community-led program.


bear report

From April through November, WildSmart publishes a weekly summary of bear and other wildlife activity between the Banff Park East Gate and Bow Valley Provincial Park. The summary compiles information provided by government agencies and sightings reported by the public. Click here to sign-up to receive bear reports.


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recreation and wildlife

Outdoor activities help connect people to nature, often strengthening our interest in protecting natural ecosystems that we love. However, recent studies suggest that outdoor recreation is adversely impacting wildlife in the Bow Valley. The Biosphere Institute’s goal is to turn a situation of potential conflict — between wildlife and trail users — into an opportunity for improved coexistence.