Bear Activity: May 7 to 13, 2010

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

For the period May 7 to 13, 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

It is quite common for bears to have multiple cubs. Black bears will usually stay with their mother during the first year and go out on their own in the second year. Grizzly bear cubs will often stay with their mother for 3 or 4 years before they venture out on their own. In this case, the mother and 3 year old cubs could be very close to the same size. So if you see grizzly bears together that are similar in size, they could be a family group or siblings now on their own or mating pairs of adults. Black bears that are the same size are not likely a family group but siblings, mating pairs or just individual bears travelling together.

Bear Activity Trends

There has been grizzly activity in Harvie Heights West, Harvie Heights/ Benchlands, Silvertip, Alpine Club, Bow Flats, TSR Resort, Stewart Creek and Wind Valley Zones this week. Black bears were reported in Canmore Nordic Centre, Exshaw, YMCA and Wind Valley Zones this week.

Important Notes

Please respect closure and warning signage. These are posted for the safety of the public and wildlife. Closures do not typically last for very long – please be patient – the area will reopen once the safety concern is gone.

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