Bear Activity: June 10 to 16, 2011

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

For the Period: June 10 to 16, 2011

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 human conflict is often attributed to bears searching out and obtaining food rewards in or near developed areas such as townsites or campgrounds. The food rewards can be in the form of natural or unnatural foods. Natural vegetation currently accounts for the majority of bear human conflict incidents in the Bow Valley. Garbage is much less common as a food attractant now – testimony to the progress we have made in securing garbage locally. Bears also were attracted to other unnatural foods such as birdfeeders, pet food and ornamental fruit trees. An effective attractant management program will go a long way to reducing bear human conflict incidents.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Grassi Corridor, TSR South, TSR Resort and Wind Valley Zones this week. Black bear activity has been reported at TSR South, Canmore Nordic Centre, Quarry/ Grassi Lake, Rundleview, Bow River Channel, Silvertip, Alpine Club, Deadmans Flats, YMCA and Bow Valley Provincial Park Zones.

Important Notes

There have been numerous reports of black bears and a few grizzly bear reports at the Canmore Nordic Centre over the past week. Please ensure you are riding with some form of noise device (voice included) to alert wildlife as you approach blind corners and sections of trail with poor visibility.

Bear Cautions and Closures

The area between the dyke at Canmore reservoir and the dog off leash area will reopen today, Friday June 3. The Warning signs along the Bow River in Canmore have also been removed. Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.