Bear Activity: June 18 to 24, 2010

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

For the period June 18 to 24, 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

Male grizzly bears cover large distances in search of a mate at this time of year. There have been a few bears in the area that are only seen at this time of year – and they are seen with the resident females most of the time. These non resident males can pose a threat to females with cubs. There have been two females whose cubs are believed to have been killed by male grizzly bears this spring. One female has lost her newborn cub to other bears for the second year in a row. Coupled with the levels of human caused mortality that bears experience, this natural predation can make it very challenging for grizzly bear populations to sustain themselves.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Harvie Heights West, Cougar Creek/ Eagle Terrace, Silvertip, Canmore Nordic Centre, TSR South and Wind Valley Zones this week. Black bears were reported in Canmore Nordic Centre, Georgetown, South Canmore, Silvertip, Cougar Creek/ Eagle Terrace, TSR Resort, Bow Flats, Deadmans Flats, Exshaw, and YMCA Zones this week.

Important Notes

There continue to be daily reports of black and grizzly bears, including sows with cubs, 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