Bear Activity: August 27 to September 2, 2010

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

For the Period: August 27 to September 2, 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

Bear activity is often driven by the location of available foods. This may provide a clue as to why grizzly bear activity in the Bow Valley has been unusually quiet this week. Some Bow Valley grizzly bears have moved up to higher elevation areas such as the Spray Valley. Similarly, grizzly bears in the Kananaskis Village area have moved up valley to the Kananaskis Lakes. The buffaloberry in these higher elevation areas has just ripened; a few weeks later than lower elevations like the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Village. Once the buffaloberries are done up high, expect bears to come back to lower elevation valley bottoms to forge on Chokecherry, Dogwood and Saskatoon (and crab apples and other berry producing ornamentals).

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bears were reported in Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Bow River, Rundleview, TSR Resort, TSR South and Quaite Valley Zones this week.

Important Notes

Bears are focused on feeding at the moment and many are trailside eating berries. Please be extra cautious when hiking / riding on trails at this time of year.

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