Bear Activity: May 27 to June 2

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

For the Period: May 27 to June 2, 2016

Welcome to the ongoing weekly bear reports for 2016.

This year, thanks to your feedback, we’re trying a slightly different format. As always we love to hear from our readers. Please let us know if you have any comments or concerns.

Summary

Bow Valley bears have been sighted being bear-ish (acting like normal bears) around town this week. Bears have been sighted at a variety of places including: Silvertip, Cougar Creek, Harvie Heights and at the Canmore Nordic Center. This summer let’s make sure that these encounters remain positive by keeping your yards attractant free, being aware while walking around town, and giving bears their space when you do see them.

Moms and cubs are also out and about. In a sad story this week, a grizzly bear cub was hit by a car and killed on the TCH, just east of Dead Man’s Flats. Remember to take extra caution and slow down when you see wildlife, especially at this time of the year when there are so many newborns running around and playing.

Current Closures and Warnings

There is a warning in place on the Legacy Trail, between Canmore and the East Gate of Banff National Park, as multiple people have seen bear(s) in the area. As well, there is a warning in place for Quaite Valley, the area just east of Heart Mountain, on the TCH, as there have been reports of a black bear frequenting the area.

For more information on areas in the Bow Valley frequented by bears at this time of year visit our human-bear conflict summary map.

Additional bear warnings and closures are available here for anyone visiting Kananaskis Country and Alberta Parks.

The information above 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.

And Now some Paws-itive News

New estimates suggest that there are now 1,000 – 1,200 grizzly bears in Alberta, up from the 700 – 800 in 2010. The Alberta government is moving forward with a draft of the 2016-2021 Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. If you would like to help with the revision process, the government is looking for input on the draft from Albertans who live, work and recreate in grizzly bear country. A survey is available here until July 15th, 2016.

Photo Credit: Jack Borno

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 bear spray; know how to use it; and obey warnings and closures.