WILDLIFE 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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating.  Hike, ski and snowshoe in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Wildlife Activity

Bears are denning at this time of year.  Pregnant female bears will be giving birth between mid January and early March.

There have been no cougar or coyote sightings or incidents reported. 

A wolf was struck and killed by a vehicle on the TransCanada at the end of December near Lac Des Arc.  Wildlife continue to be struck and killed on the highway.  Watch for wildlife and obey the speed limit.  Be extra cautious in areas where there is no fencing.

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

Education Tidbit

Hibernation is the physiological process that allows bears to sleep the winter away. Their heart and metabolic rates decrease approximately 80%, and their body temperature decreases by about 5 degrees Celsius. Hibernation is a dynamic state, where the metabolic rate and state of comatose fluctuates over time. When hibernation is light, bears will wake up. This awakening occurs periodically during the winter.

Wildlife Activity

Grizzly bears are currently denning in Kananaskis  Country and the Bow Valley.  Soon Alberta Parks volunteer Bear Monitors, Conservation Officers and the Wind River Bear Institute staff will be out with telemetry to see if any of the collared or ear tagged grizzly bears have woken from their dens and moved into the valley bottoms.

There has been some cougar activity in the Silver Tip area of Canmore.  A female cougar and her two 70 pound kittens have been seen feeding on a deer carcass.  Officials did not receive reports of the cougar in the area until several days after the first sighting.  To increase safety and awareness in our community, please report cougar sightings.  If a carcass is found near residential areas, officers will often move it to a more secluded area for the cat to continue feeding.

This is the time of year that deer populations are most food stressed.  The hard crusted snow makes it difficult for them to access vegetation.  Often this leads deer to come closer to town and feed in residential areas.  Please give them lots of space and walk pets on leash.

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

Education Tidbit

In early February, SRD completed an aerial survey of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in Kananaskis Country and sheep range as far north as the Red Deer River. These surveys are conducted every 3-4 years weather and budgets permitting. Traditional sheep winter ranges are surveyed each time and sheep are counted and classified according to age groupings and sex. This winter, 1082 sheep were counted which is the highest number ever counted since these surveys were instituted in the 1970s. Sheep numbers were up on some winter ranges and down on others. Fluctuations in numbers is typical and could be due to any number of reasons but overall, bighorn numbers appear to be doing well in this part of the province. In the Bow Valley, an additional ground survey will be conducted in the spring along Highway 1A. It is much easier to see sheep on their winter ranges along the side of the highway than it is to spot them from a helicopter. This makes it much easier to count and classify animals.

Wildlife Activity

There have been several sightings of coyotes in the Cougar Creek residential area (near Elizabeth Rummel, Grizzly Crescent, Silvertip Crescent).  Please ensure dog food, garbage, recycling and other wildlife attractants are removed from your property.  Food scraps left out for birds and rabbits are also an attractant for coyotes.

There was one cougar sighting in southeast Canmore in February.  A local wildlife tracker recently found cougar tracks in the Three Sisters and Wind Valley areas.   He noted that when the weather is cold and snow deep, ungulates prefer south-facing, wind blown slopes.   Wind Ridge and Pigeon Mountain offer these advantages and have traditionally been great places for them in the past. The slopes along the north side of the Bow Valley, Mt Lady McDonald and Grotto Mountain are typically used by wintering ungulates and as a result receive increased use by carnivores. Golf courses in the valley also provide good foraging areas and afford a level of predation protection due to human presence.

Skoki, a collared wolf who frequents Banff National Park, has been spending a significant amount of time in the Kananaskis Valley, but has yet to make an appearance in the Bow Valley.

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

Want to learn more about coexisting with coyotes?

Join us for our next WildSmart Speaker Series

Learn more http://www.wildsmart.ca/news/wildsmart-speaker-series/

Education Tidbit

Coyotes habituate to urban environments quickly and seek food within towns and villages from any source.  This type of behavior is especially dangerous for both the coyotes and people.  You can help keep our neighborhoods safe for children and pets by storing attractants properly and not feeding wildlife, including feral rabbits.

Wildlife Activity

There have been numerous reports in the past few weeks of a coyote with an injured leg near the Canmore Nordic Centre.

A cougar killed a big horn sheep in one of the day use areas.   Please continue to keep dogs on leash as they may be attracted to the scent of carcasses.

Elk have been seen on and near the Trans Canada highway recently.  The cattle guards filled with snow from recent snowfall and elk were able to travel over them and access areas adjacent to the highway.  The cattle guards have been cleared but drivers should be aware that elk and deer may gain access to areas of the highway that have been fenced.  Always watch for wildlife and drive the speed limit as you travel through the Bow Valley.

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

Education Tidbit

Many domestic dogs still maintain an instinct to hunt or chase.  A trigger such as a hopping bunny or a running deer/elk can be a stimulus for this instinct to unfold, regardless of how well your dog is trained.  Any fleeing animal will often trigger a dog to chase.  Wildlife forced to run from a chasing dog unnecessarily expend precious energy in order to avoid the perceived predator.  In winter, such energy expenditures can be life threatening if they occur over multiple occasions. This is because many species need to conserve energy reserves just to make it through winter – a time when food resources are of low quality and temperatures are cold.  Useless expenditures of energy may tip the balance between survival and winter mortality.  It can also result in direct injury or death to the wild animal if caught by the dog or indirect injury/death by pushing the wild animal into human use areas such as roads where it may be struck by a passing vehicle. 

Wildlife Activity

There have been no reports of bears in the Bow Valley in recent weeks and we are well into the winter season.  The exact timing of denning varies with sex, age, reproductive status, location, weather.  Bears tend to search out an appropriate den location when food resources diminish, temperatures drop, snow falls, and daylight becomes shorter. Time to excavate a den.   Bear sightings in January are rare although they have been reported.  Winter recreationists should still be aware of their surroundings, make noise and keep bear spray close and in a warm location in case of conflict with other wildlife such as coyotes and cougars. 

No sightings of cougars or coyotes have been reported recently.  Both coyote and cougars are active in the winter and move through the Bow Valley frequently in search of food sources such as deer and elk.  In the past, both species have been known to take off-leash dogs.  Keep pets and children close by when in your yard and on the trail. 

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

WILDLIFE 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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit
Bear spray has been proven to be effective at deterring attacks by black and grizzly bear. It could also be a useful deterrent for encounters with other species, such as cougars and coyotes. It will not prevent encounters but can prevent an attack or save you from injury or death. Additionally, it may act as an aversive conditioning tool to discourage habituation in potentially harmful species such as coyotes.

In winter keep your bear spray easily accessible and warm to ensure its effectiveness.

Wildlife Activity
Wildlife activity in the valley is relatively quiet from the perspective of interactions and people. However outdoor enthusiasts should be aware that in the winter there is considerable use of the trails in and around Canmore by people and other species such as cougars, coyotes and ungulates.

There has been a rash of reported incidents recently of coyotes boldly walking down streets and entering yards to seize feral rabbits. The large population of rabbits in parts of the community is going to facilitate the proliferation of this kind of activity as these feral animals represent an easy food source. Please be aware of these coyotes and do not encourage their habituation.

Although there have been no cougar sightings recently, cougars frequently use trails we use, especially if there is heavy snow fall and we have packed the trails. Also if there are elk or deer in the area to hunt, cougars use the packed trails to sneak up on them as they are quieter than “post holing” in deep crusty snow. We should be aware of this, keep our eyes open and dogs on leash.

Cougars leave a very identifiable track pattern. The size and shape of the foot print as well as the walking pattern make them easy to identify.

Cougars, though rarely seen, are residents in the Bow Valley. The link below provides information that will help you stay safe.
http://www.wildsmart.ca/cougarsmart.htm

Important Notes
If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures
Please report all incidents of aggressive coyotes as well as cougar or other unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

WILDLIFE ACTIVITY FOR THE BOW VALLEY
(Banff National Park to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
The following summary is based upon wildlife information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last two weeks. It is not intended to be used as a real time, complete record of where wildlife is in the valley.

WILDLIFE 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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit
One study found that on average an outdoor cat will kill one songbird a week. Learn more about the impact of domestic pets on songbirds in the book Silence of the Songbirds: How we are losing the world’s songbirds and what we can do to save them by Bridget Struchbury.
 

Wildlife Activity
It appears the spring/summer season is behind by 2- 3 weeks. Please continue to expect to encounter ungulates, particularly elk and deer, with newborn calves. Over the past few weeks, we have been receiving reports of aggressive encounters with elk and of orphaned or injured deer fawns. Give these animals space as they can be quite protective of their young, and may perceive you to be a threat. Newborns will spend much time alone in their early days and will appear lifeless in order to avoid detection by predators. Hence, the well-meaning reports received by the public that a fawn has been ‘orphaned’ or is injured. Please do not touch or approach these calves, as they have likely been left alone while their mother continues to feed nearby. Off leash dogs can easily kill newborn calves. Please keep your dogs on a leash.
 

Birds are also still nesting at this time. Off-leash or free-ranging cats are responsible for a large portion of young bird mortality. Please keep your cats indoors.
 

Incidents of deer and elk mortality on the highways have been occurring on a regular basis throughout the Bow Valley. Obey speed limits and watch for wildlife on the roads.

Important Notes
If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures
Please report all bear/ cougar or unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx
 

For the period April 30 to May 28, 2010

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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

What’s happening with wildlife in the Bow Valley?

Spring is in the air and wildlife are slowly reappearing from their winter slumber.
Many mammals will soon be having their young – spring being an optimum time for raising young given the availability of fresh plants and grasses while also providing good hiding cover from predators. Elk will give birth, usually to a single calf, sometime between mid May and early June. Within hours of being born elk calves are able to stand and nurse. Mule deer and White- tailed deer will also give birth around the same time period – though they will often have 1 to 3 fawns. Young deer, weighing in at about 6 pounds, will spend the first month lying quietly under vegetation. For this reason, do not pick up or be overly concerned about fawns that appear orphaned – mom is not usually far away. Cow moose will usually have between 1 to 3 calves in May or June, each weighing approximately 20 to 35 pounds!

Wildlife/ Human interactions

There continue to be cougar sightings in the valley, the most recent in the Rundleview area of Canmore. There have also been reports in Rundleview of coyotes closing distance on people, particularly those with dogs. Be aggressive with any coyote encounter by making yourself appear large and waving a stick at the animal. Carry bear spray and discharge it at the animal if possible. As wildlife such as elk and deer begin to have their young, give them a wide birth as they will be
particularly protective of their young at this time of year.

Important Notes

We will continue these monthly wildlife summaries throughout the year on a monthly basis. If there is a specific topic you would like to see addressed – please let us know. Comments can be sent to info@wildsmart.ca. Please remain cautious and be aware of your surroundings while out recreating.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all bear, cougar and wolf sightings and any aggressive wildlife encounter to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

For the two weeks preceding April 9, 2010

The following summary is based upon wildlife information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last two weeks. It is not intended to be used as a real time, complete record of where wildlife is in the valley.

WILDLIFE 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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit

The bears are out. There have been reports of bears and signs of bears in the National Parks and the Bow and Kananaskis Valleys. It appears as if the larger males have moved down into the valley bottoms in search of early green vegetation and roots. Younger bears and possibly some family groups may be out of their dens but likely not venturing too far.

Wildlife Activity

Bear tracks have been observed in the north side of the valley between Canmore and Harvie Heights. A cougar was approaching dogs (off leash) in the Cougar Creek area. This area has been closed until further notice.

Important Notes

Ensure you are making plenty of noise while out recreating, particularly as you approach blind corners or noisy spots where animals may not hear you coming. This will prevent surprise encounters. Please ensure your dogs are kept on leash.
Carry bear spray on your person and be prepared to use it if necessary. Check the expiry date and replace it if expired.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all bear/ cougar or unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx

For the two weeks preceding March 12, 2010

The following summary is based upon wildlife information provided by government agencies and unconfirmed sightings reported by the public over the last two weeks. It is not intended to be used as a real time, complete record of where wildlife is in the valley.

WILDLIFE 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 wildlife activity such as scats, tracks, and diggings. Make lots of noise while recreating; hike in groups when possible; carry pepper spray; and obey closures.

Education Tidbit

The Alberta government has recently released a status report on grizzly bear numbers in the province. To read the report please go to
http://www.srd.alberta.ca/ManagingPrograms/FishWildlifeManagement/BearManagement/Gri
zzlyBears/documents/GrizzlyBears-DemographyAlbertaGrizzlyBears-1999-2009.pdf The lead researcher of the Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program, Gordon Stenhouse, will be in the Bow Valley next week speaking on that research and other issues pertaining to grizzly bear populations in Alberta. This presentation is part of the ongoing WildSmart Speaker series hosted by Bow Valley WildSmart. It will occur at 7 pm on March 16, 2010 at the Canmore Collegiate High School. Admission is free – donations accepted.

Wildlife Activity

Wildlife activity in the valley is relatively quiet from the perspective of interactions with people. Coyote sightings continue to occur but there have been no unusual interactions reported. Bear tracks were observed in the Pigeon Mountain area last week. Its not clear if this bear will go back into its den or not. This does serve as a reminder to be aware of wildlife activity at any time of the year.

Important Notes

If you encounter an animal (elk, deer, wolf, cougar etc) on the trail or close to you, leave the area. This will prevent the animal from getting used to people. If the animal does approach you, increase your distance. If it persists, try and appear large and speak firmly to the animal. Pick up a large stick if one is handy. Prepare your bear spray and discharge it in the animal’s face if necessary.

Wildlife Cautions/ Closures

Please report all bear/ cougar or unusual wildlife sightings to 403-591-7755. For current postings of Wildlife Warnings and Closures please visit http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/kananaskis/trailreport.aspx