Bear Report - October 24, 2024

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The information below is 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 (Oct.17-24, 2024)

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

It was a fairly quiet week for bears in the Bow Valley and the colder weather and snow will likely speed up the process of bears heading into their dens. Although bears are thinking about hibernating, a few are still on the fence and trying to get some last snacks in before they den. With food getting scarce, it is extra important for campers and day users to make sure NO attractants are left unattended. Situational awareness is still important when you’re out on the landscape so people need to be thinking about bears and expecting encounters when out recreating.

Bears are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything that is available to them, so please make sure your yard is free of all potential attractants that bears and other wildlife might try to eat - or you may face steep fines and be responsible for killing a bear! These attractants include fruit (both on trees and on the ground), PUMPKINS, pet food, bird feeders, garbage, recycling and greasy bbq’s.

You can help keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by keeping your pumpkins indoors! It is a very simple act that can keep yourself and your neighbourhood safe! Pumpkins make a tasty meal for a hungry bear trying to fatten up for the winter ahead (pumpkin seeds have 163 calories an ounce; pulp is 50 calories a cup). If you don't want a bear in your yard, or to get a bear relocated or killed, make sure you don't provide it with a meal!

 

Black bear sitting in a Juniper bush eating berries in Kootenay National Park on Oct.20, 2024.

 

Large herds of elk continue to be seen throughout town which means you have to be vigilant 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), never try to sneak past them, never get between a male elk and the female elk and keep pets on a leash.

Elk have also recently been seen along our busy roads and trails. With the snow on the ground and slippery conditions, 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. Check out the Friends of Kananaskis Country’s Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing.

 

Elk grazing along Benchlands Trail (close to the highway overpass) on Tuesday Oct.22, 2024.

 

Bow hunting season is open in the Bow Valley. Due to the nature of the activity, hunters need to be cautious as they are intentionally quiet on the landscape. If you are recreating, please be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of dead animals. Everyone, including hunters, should always be prepared for surprise encounters with wildlife, carry bear spray and know how to use it!

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

 
 

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

Some sad news from south of the border - park officials have announced that grizzly bear “399” was killed by a vehicle south of Jackson, Wyoming on Tuesday evening. Known only by her research number, 399 has been a fixture in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming since 2007 — becoming the most famous and photographed grizzly bear in the world! 399 was believed to be 28 years old and one of the oldest known grizzly bears still reproducing. The bear’s identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip. Park officials say 399 had a yearling cub with her. While the cub is not believed to have been hurt, its whereabouts is unknown.

Highway 1 Bow River to Banff East Gate Wildlife Exclusion Fencing Project
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) is constructing a wildlife exclusion fence along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) between the Bow River, and the Banff National Park East Gate. The installation of a wildlife exclusion fence in the area is expected to reduce animal-vehicle collisions by up to 80%, reducing the road related mortality of local wildlife populations and is expected to improve herd health, while helping provide a safe and efficient transportation system in the Bow Valley. Click here to read the Wildlife Exclusion Fencing Project Information Sheet.

Have your say on Parks Canada’s Lake Minnewanka Area Plan!
Parks Canada is initiating development of the Lake Minnewanka Area Plan, a guiding document that will set long-term direction for managing the Lake Minnewanka Area. At this stage, they are focusing on gathering information, identifying priorities, and scoping the plan. Parks Canada would like to hear what is important to you about the area. Your input will help shape the plan.
Click here to complete the survey now that closes tomorrow on October 25, 2024! All questions are optional, and your participation is anonymous and voluntary.

 
 

Connected: A Parks Canada Podcast is available on major podcast streaming platforms. This new educational tool that Parks Canada recently published, has one season with six episodes. Each episode is about a different species at risk in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay, and features an interview with the specialists who work in the parks. The episode list includes the grizzly bear, westslope cutthroat trout, black swift, wolverine, whitebark pine, and little brown bat. CLICK HERE for more information and list of episodes.

This week we are featuring the third episode about Black Swifts - Description: Pull out your binoculars and join us in the field to explore the secret lives of black swifts. These acrobatic birds are hard to find unless you know where and when to look. Resource Management Officer Candace Jung shares what it’s like to study black swifts, why they’re in trouble, and how you can help.

 

Black swift nest in canyon walls. Photo credit: SC Fason.

 

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

Join Wildlife Ambassador Derek to look closely at the teeth of a bear, and see what they tell us.

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 at West Bragg Creek and at the Recreation Centre in Canmore. Note: the locations they are stationed at may change at the last minute. Keep an eye out for the Wildlife Ambassadors next time you are out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country. If you see them on the trails, be sure to say ‘hi’ and have a chat with them!

Some of our amazing Wildlife Ambassadors out at West Bragg Creek last Saturday, Oct.19, 2024.

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Halloween is only a week away and there are many pumpkins outside on doorsteps. Please be proactive to help keep your children, the children in your neighbourhood and our local wildlife safe by placing pumpkins inside of windows and NOT outside on your doorstep. Pumpkins are a wildlife attractant to all sorts of animals, not just bears, and we all need to do our best to avoid attracting wildlife into residential areas. If you don't want a bear in your yard, or to get a bear relocated or killed, make sure you don't provide it with a meal! You might think that your pumpkin is safe on a balcony, far off the ground, but bears are very good climbers. Check out this video of an ingenious bear climbing up onto a balcony. Pumpkins can be put outside on Oct.31 to be enjoyed by trick-or-treaters but make sure you bring them back inside before going to bed!

After Halloween, please dispose of your pumpkins properly and do not leave them outside inviting them to get smashed up by pranksters or eaten by wildlife. 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!

 

Pumpkins are a wildlife attractant to all sorts of animals, not just bears. You can help keep bears and other wildlife out of trouble by keeping your pumpkins indoors! Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

 

Bears continue to be drawn into town by fruit trees and we need your help to ensure the safety of both people and bears! If you have a fruit tree, such as a crabapple, 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 plenty of money remaining in the budget this year for the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal Incentive Program so we urge you to consider removing your fruit tree now while the funds are available!

If you decide to keep your fruit tree:

  • Remove all fruit from branches and dispose of it responsibly. Picked fruit can be put in the residential food waste bins around town. Leaves, branches and clippings can be disposed of separately in the appropriate bins at the Boulder Crescent Recycling Depot.

  • We have pruning shears, extendable pole saw pruners and fruit pickers that can be borrowed (free of charge) to assist Bow Valley residents in removing that hard to reach fruit. Please send an email to resource@biosphereinstitute.org to make arrangements to borrow the fruit removal equipment.

AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS

The Bow Valley's First Share and Repair Fair! 

We were thrilled to partner with the Town of Banff to host the Bow Valley’s first-ever "Share and Repair Fair" last Sunday at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff. Throughout the day, we had 190+ attendees, 16 booths, 6 workshops, an epic clothing swap, bike repairs, live music, free snacks and more! We were blown away by the amazing dedication our community showed to repairing, reusing, upcycling, and contributing to a circular economy in the Bow Valley. 

Curious to learn more about how you can participate in a more circular Bow Valley? Watch this video here: Towards a Circular Bow Valley (Share and Repair Fair) and explore our interactive map highlighting some initiatives. We'll take what we learned and bring it to Canmore in 2025 for another share and repair fair! Stay tuned.

"It was so amazing meeting all the vendors and learning about the great work everyone does! Thank you for putting on such an amazing event." - Patagonia Banff

 

We had a great turnout at the Share and Repair Fair at the Fenlands in Banff last Sunday!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 26 - Banff Recycling Roundup

The Banff Recycling Roundup is on Saturday October 26, 2024 from 10am-4pm. Banff residents can stop by the parking lot by the Fire Hall on Beaver Street to drop off items, including expired bear spray, for free collection and disposal. Visit banff.ca/Roundup to view the list of accepted items.

 
 

October 27 & 28 - Building for Sustainability Symposium (Malcolm Hotel, Canmore)

We're excited to kick off the Building for Sustainability Symposium this weekend! We're on the verge of selling out, so if you wish to join us, don't wait a moment longer to register. Click here to register now! This symposium aims to address the pressing need for climate-resilient and environmentally conscious building solutions while considering affordability and adherence to building codes. On Sunday, we'll be hosting five field-trips with those who have built for sustainability here in the Bow Valley. We look forward to seeing you there!

 
 

October 29 - Earth Talks: Heat Pumps and Canmore’s Clean Energy Improvement Program

Join us with Stephanie Ripley, Program Manager, Sustainability Services, Alberta Municipalities, and Lance Trewartha, Owner, Brightside Mechanical, for their presentation "Heat Pumps and Canmore’s Clean Energy Improvement Program! How to Reduce Your Energy Use and Carbon Footprint." Stephanie and Lance will be sharing how you can upgrade your home's energy efficiency and/or install renewable energy at no upfront cost with the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). This FREE Earth Talks event will take place on Tuesday, October 29 from 7-8pm, 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.

 
 

October 30 - Cookies and Climate Conversations

How to talk with friends and family about climate? Please join us at the Biosphere office in Canmore (2nd floor of the Senior's Centre in Canmore at 201-600a 9th Street) on Wednesday October 30 from 7-9pm. The community's top-ranked climate conversation topic is “How to talk with friends and family about climate," and you’ll “learn by doing" as we go through some tried and true activities to set you up for success on this front!  (And yes, there will be cookies!)

No prior experience, knowledge or RSVP necessary – come out to find community connections, inspiration, and answers to some of the climate solutions that apply to the Bow Valley!

 
 

November 15 - Biosphere Institute’s 3rd Annual Community Square Dance Fundraiser!

The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley invites you to join us for some boot stompin' fun at our third annual Square Dance Community Fundraiser! The most fun you can have with your boots on...

We will provide you with an incredible live band, light snacks and so much laughing your belly will hurt the next day! Dress to impress in your best Western wear! Prizes for "Best dressed" and "Most enthusiastic" dancer.

Friday, November 15, 2024 
Doors open: 6:30 PM at the Cornerstone Theatre in Canmore
Dance begins at 7:30 PM and runs until late.
General Admission: $45+processing fees 

Silent auction, draw prizes and more! All profits go to supporting the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley. All are welcome! We welcome young and old cowboys, cowgirls, and cowpals! No dance experience or partner necessary. Please let us know if you have any accessibility concerns that we should know about. If affordability is a barrier to this event, please reach out to tanya@biosphereinstitute.org. Since we would love to make this an inclusive event for all, we have a limited number of lower priced tickets available. The past two years have sold out, so get your tickets soon. Yeehaw, see you there!

Curious what the event is like? Check out this awesome video from last year by Greg Monforton!

 
 

November 24 - Melodies for a Resilient Future: Jasper Benefit Concert

Join us for a fun evening of musical entertainment and engaging speakers to raise funds for Jasper Wildfire relief. Click here for tickets.

Presented in partnership with Scott Diehl and Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, 100% of the evening's proceeds go to the Jasper Community Team Society to benefit Jasper fire victims. 

Digital Hobo and Friends will provide fun and evocative live music. Songs about community, hope and adaptation during these days of rapidly changing climate. Enjoy new songs from the 2025 release Climate Stories.

Sarah Elmeligi is the current MLA for Banff-Kananaskis. She has extensive experience in wilderness and parks conservation with Alberta Parks and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. Sarah will speak on community resilience in the era of wildfires.

Ryan Bray is a long time resident of Jasper. Tragically, he lost his home to the fire. Ryan will talk to us about the lived experience of a wildfire refugee in a mountain town in Alberta.

Caitlin Miller from Town of Canmore will update us on the activities in the Bow Valley to adapt to the increasing threat of wildfire. Emergency preparedness, firesmarting, and fire buffers will be discussed.

 
 

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