Bear Activity: September 30 to October 6, 2011

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

For the Period: September 30 to October 6, 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

Marmots, squirrels and other rodents hibernate by going into a deep sleep with a low metabolic rate and temperatures many degrees below normal. A bear on the other hand, retains a more “normal” body temperature, has a relatively high metabolic rate and may awaken during a warm stretch of weather. Hibernation for a bear is a response to a shortage of food as opposed to a response to cold weather (Brown, 1993).

Bear Activity Trends

There has been no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at Quaite Valley, YMCA and Yamnuska Zones.

Important Notes

Bears are moving into residential areas of the Bow Valley to feed on ornamental fruit trees and other foods. Please be cautious when walking around town and keep dogs on leash.

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.