Bear Activity: June 24 to 30, 2011

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

For the Period: June 24 to 30, 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

Survival rates of young bear cubs are at their highest during the first few months of their lives.  Twenty-five per cent of black bear cubs die during their first year. A third of those cubs will die over the next two years. A study in Yellowstone found that 83 percent of grizzly bear cubs survived in their first year. Of those, only 40 per cent reached five years of age. The primary cause of cub mortality was from larger bears, primarily adult males.

Bear Activity Trends

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

Important Notes

Numerous reports of black bears and a few grizzly bear reports continue to be reported at the Canmore Nordic Centre and Quarry/ Grassi Lakes areas. 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

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.