Bear Activity: July 30 to August 5, 2010

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

For the period July 30 to August 5, 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 diggings. Make lots of noise while hiking; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit

Bears, like many other animals, are generally more active at dawn and dusk. That being said, some bears are more active during the day while others are more active at night. This preference to day or night time activity is often based on their comfort levels around humans. Bears that are more wary will usually be more active at night when most people are asleep. The reverse is true for bears that are quite used to being around people.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Grassi Corridor, Stewart Creek, TSR Resort, and TSR South Zones this week. Black bears were reported in Canmore Nordic Centre, Georgetown, Canmore Golf Course, Bow River, North Canmore, Rundleview, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, TSR Resort, TSR South and YMCA Zones this week.

Important Notes

Regular black bear sightings continue to occur at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Please exercise caution when using the trails and make plenty of noise where sightlines are poor. If you see a bear, give it the right of way and leave in the direction you came from.

Bear Cautions/ 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