Did you know that WildSmart is one of three programs 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 (April 25-May 2, 2024)

(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

It looks like most of the collared bears have emerged from their dens and many more are active moving around on the landscape. A black bear was reported in several residential areas on the south side of Canmore which serves as an important reminder that we can’t prevent bears from walking through town or our backyards, but we certainly can do our best not to give them a food reward or a reason to linger! Keep them moving along by ensuring your yards are free of attractants such as food, garbage, recycling, pet food, greasy bbqs and bird feeders. For those who are not aware, the Town of Canmore has a Community Standards Bylaw, and residents can be fined for having Wildlife Attractants (such as garbage and bird feeders) that are accessible to wildlife in their yards.

Several bear tracks were seen yesterday in the snow along Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country and this snow should provide critical moisture for early vegetation growth in the coming weeks. Below is a great shot of a black bear in an Aspen tree taken yesterday near Yamnuska. At this time of year, black bears will climb high into the aspen trees to eat the nutritious emerging buds.

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

Please be advised of an Area Closure for the west slope of Tunnel Mountain, south of the Tunnel Mountain Trail in Banff for elk calving season. All official trails in the surrounding area (Tunnel Mountain Trail, Surprise Corner and the Bow River Trail) remain open. Climbing access and climbing on the Black Band and Gonda Roof routes is permitted; climbers must comply with the closure by using the descent outlined on the map below. This closure is intended to reduce human-wildlife conflicts by providing secure habitat for female elk during calving season which typically occurs from May 15th to June 30th. Elk mothers will aggressively protect their newborns by charging and kicking people!

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

At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food. These behaviour patterns can result in an increased chance of encounters with humans as we too spend most of our time in the valley bottoms! That being said, some bears can still be seen up at higher elevations, like these two bears at Burstall Pass! The video below is from March 30, 2024 and these bears are not collared. The two bears popped up on the ridge, spent a few minutes digging around, and then headed over the far side. A reminder that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime so always be prepared and carry bear spray year-round even when backcountry skiing!

Video courtesy of Suzanne Stevenson

Many elk have recently been seen feeding roadside along the highways and roads in and around Canmore. This has the potential to be very dangerous as they might try to cross the road at any moment. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down if you see wildlife by the road! Please, do not stop to view wildlife. If you see one animal, be prepared to see more and adjust your speed accordingly. We see a high mortality rate of wildlife from vehicles in the Bow Valley, especially in spring when the likelihood of encountering wildlife on or close to the road is increased. Please travel safely and help protect our wildlife by slowing down, especially during dawn and dusk.

Last week, we asked if you have checked to see if your bear spray is expired. If you checked and your bear spray is expired, you can drop it off in Canmore at the designated bear spray bin (pictured here) at the new Firehall on Palliser Trail! Remember to carry bear spray year-round in an easily accessible location, know how to use it and be prepared to use it. Bear spray should be carried while walking on well-travelled trails, including the trails in and around town. If you need to refresh your memory on the proper use of bear spray, we have an excellent video on our website here.

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. Last weekend they were out at the Yamnuska. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute.

Saturday, May 4 - Troll Falls

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!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

“Springtime wildlife encounters: what to consider” By Robin Contos

Springtime in the valley is heralded by the appearance of lush patches of green grass, the first wildflowers opening their faces to the sun, and the beginnings of leaves unfurling on the branches of trees. These tender shoots of greenery provide a perfect meal for hungry wildlife.

As snow still covers the landscape higher up, the Bow Valley becomes a perfect foraging spot for elk, bears and other animals during April and May.

“The valley is the lowest habitat available to wildlife, and as such, in the spring, it's the first place where the snow recedes and melts and the vegetation grows,” said John Paczkowski, the team lead for human wildlife coexistence with Alberta Parks.

“There are well watered and fertilized grassy patches around town too, which will accelerate them growing and that's a critical food source for a bunch of species at this time of year.”

The highest probability of encountering wildlife occurs during the spring season due to the abundance of food in the valley bottom and in the Town of Canmore itself.

As the weather warms, more people head out to engage in recreational activities on the landscape, this results in an increased density of living things sharing one space.

As humans seek outdoor recreational activities, bears, just out of hibernation, are searching for food, and elk are searching for safe areas to calve. The demand on the valley bottom ecosystem in spring is extremely high.

Derek Ryder, co-chair of Friends of Kananaskis, has suggestions for how to prevent wildlife encounters during this busy time.

“You can think about where bears are going to be during different times of the year and be where they’re not. And so, if you want to avoid bears, head up high,” said Ryder.

“Any greenery is a wildlife attractant. So, if you’re standing on the snow and you don’t see anything green other than the trees, you’re probably going to be okay.” Of course being on snow in the springtime brings its own hazards, as avalanches are common and can be very dangerous (click here to learn more).

Avoiding areas where wildlife is most active, is only one step. It is important to do research about what animals are active on the landscape and be aware of how to prevent and handle encounters.

A few important steps to this include; making noise on trails to alert nearby wildlife, keeping any food, drinks, or other attractants sealed and inaccessible, and, always carrying bear spray in an easily accessible spot.

Paczkowski advises people to be aware of the wildlife and be prepared for encounters.

“You're in bear country, you're in wildlife country. So, act accordingly and expect to have those encounters and try and avoid them as best you can.”

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

Snowboarder has wild experience with grizzly bear at Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Lake Louise's 'critical' bear guardian program scrapped.
Brush up on bear safety before heading into the bush, Alberta experts say.
Bear-tracking study celebrates citizen science in Alberta's grizzly country.
Tiny bear cubs emerge from winter hibernation.
Hunting ban and $10K penalty for man who killed B.C. grizzly bear.
Watch this footage of a brown bear attacking a vehicle on a remote road in Japan.
Northern Italy's 'problem bears' show the challenges of rewilding carnivores.
Hungry bear gobbles up ducklings at the zoo in front of a group of children.
Utah man uses snowboard to fend off cougar near ski resort.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

Thank You to Wild Life Distillery and Friends!

We are excited to share that Wild Life Distillery's "Rye in the Rockies Cocktail Competition" resulted in a profit of over $2,400 that was donated to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley! At this SOLD OUT event, competitors were challenged to incorporate an element of sustainability behind the bar into a unique cocktail presentation for the judges and crowd. We are so humbled and grateful to have such a supportive and creative community! Many thanks to the crew at Wild Life Distillery for their support and generosity!

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 4 & 5 - 2024 CLEAN COMMUTE EXPO!

If you are considering switching to an electric vehicle or want to learn more about getting around town without using your car, this event is not to be missed!

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley is hosting the Bow Valley’s first Clean Commute Expo on May 4 and 5, 2024. The Expo will showcase a variety of alternative low-carbon transportation options, provide informative presentations throughout the day and host a wide range of exhibitors, including local businesses and community organizations.

The Expo will be held at Elevation Place in Canmore (700 Railway Avenue, Canmore) on Saturday, May 4, 2024, and at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff (100 Mt Norquay Rd, Banff) on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

The event will be open to the public on both days from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and no registration is required. We look forward to seeing you at the Expo!

Volunteers Needed: Clean Commute Expo

In addition to hosting the event, we are still looking for volunteers for a variety of responsibilities at both the Canmore and Banff Clean Commute Expo events including:

Expo set-up
Biosphere booth support
EV Compound Attendant
Expo take-down

Click the button below to sign-up as a volunteer!

I WANT TO VOLUNTEER AT THE CLEAN COMMUTE EXPO!

May 6 - Active Hope: Practices for Moving Through Eco-anxiety

Do you worry about climate change? Do your worries turn into anxiety? Facilitated group conversations and practical ways to reframe your thoughts provide hope. As part of Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week, the Biosphere Institute’s Heidi Widmer will facilitate this workshop called ‘Active Hope: Practices for Moving Through Eco-anxiety.’ Join us for an evening of hope in action on Monday May 6th from 7-9pm at 102 Spray Avenue in Banff (YWCA Banff Great Room).

This is a FREE event open to the public. Registration is required and all ages and orientations are welcome! Simple refreshments provided. Click here to register now!

May 11 - Share the Trails

Bow Valley Riding Association is very happy to collaborate with the Alberta Equestrian Federation and partners CAMBA, WildSmart, and the Alpine Club of Canada to host their second annual Share the Trails event on Saturday May 11 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Cougar Creek Parking Lot in Canmore.

Join local outdoor recreation organizations for informal conversations on how we can collectively enjoy Alberta's public trails. Let's collaborate on how to safely, responsibly, and sustainably share the area with the wildlife in the fragile corridor at Indian Flats. Whether you're on horseback, two wheels, with hiking poles or walking your furry friend, you’ll find information at this Share the Trails event. Alongside the volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors, WildSmart will be there with a booth to talk to residents and visitors about responsible trail use and how to keep people and wildlife safe on the trails! Together, let's keep our trails protected and beautiful for generations to come.

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

Bear Report - May 2, 2024