Bear Activity: August 13 to August 19, 2010

BEAR SUMMARY FOR THE BOW VALLEY
(Banff National Park to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

For the Period: August 13 to August 19, 2010

The following summary 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.

BEARS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!

Be aware of your surroundings, know how to reduce the likelihood of encounters, and be prepared should an encounter take place. Always use caution by paying attention to signs of bear activity such as scats, tracks, and digging. Make lots of noise while hiking; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit

There are a variety of natural foods for bears at this time of the year. Of course, buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) is the key attractant at the moment. Other berry foods in the valley also include Saskatoon/ Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Kinninkinick/ Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), Wolfwillow/ Silver berry (Elaeagnus commutate), Blueberry family (Vaccinium spp.), Chokecherry(Prunus virginiana), Bracted Honeysuckle/ Twinberry (Lonicera involucrate), Gooseberry/ Currants (Ribes spp), Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa Western Mountain Ash (), Sorbus scopulina), Low Bush Cranberry (Viburnum edule). Familiarize yourself with these species to recognize when you are in potential bear habitat.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Bow River, Grassi Corridor, Stewart Creek, TSR Resort, TSR South, Wind Valley and Bow Flats Zones this week. Black bears were reported in Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Bow River, South Canmore, Grassi Corridor, TSR Resort, TSR South, Gap Hill, Bow Des Arcs, Lac des Arcs, Bow Valley Provincial Park, and YMCA Zones this week.

Important Notes

There are a number of non resident grizzly bears that have moved into the Bow Valley area to take advantage of the berry crop here. Please use caution when hiking/ riding in areas where natural and unnatural berry foods exist.

There are many bear caution signs posted in the valley at the moment – they are indicators of regularly occurring bear activity, so please go accordingly.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Bear Warnings and Closures please visit tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx