For the Period: May 4 to 10, 2012

Bear Activity Trends

There was black bear activity reported in the Canmore Golf Course, Bow River, Rundleview, North Canmore, South Canmore, TSR Resort, TSR South, Bow Flats, Alpine Club, YMCA Zones this week. Grizzly bear activity was reported in Wind Valley, TSR South and Silvertip Zones this week.

Education Tidbit

Did you know bear spray expires? Manufactures of bear spray note that the propellant has a shelf life and over time the can may only spray a short distance, or not at all.  Both the Town of Canmoreand Town of Banffrecycle bear spray at Hazardous Waste Round ups.  The next one is on May 12^th, 10 am – 4 pm,100 Glacier Drive Canmore.  Local retailers have donated 10% off coupons so you can purchase a new can of bear spray for a discount.

Learn how to spray bear spray at WildSmart Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC10C1311F30EA016

Learn to live smart with bears:

http://www.wildsmart.ca/bearsmart.htm

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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.

The above 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.

For the Period: April 26  to May 3, 2012

Bear Activity Trends

There was black bear activity reported in the Canmore Golf Course, Silvertip, Bow Flats and Alpine Club Zones this week. Grizzly bear tracks were reported in Wind Valley Zone this week.

Education Tidbit

It’s that time of year. Bears are slowly coming out of their dens. Both female black and grizzly bears with young have been observed in the  valley bottoms this week.  Be aware of your surroundings, know how to reduce the likelihood of encounters, and be prepared should an encounter take place. Always be aware of 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.

Learn to live smart with bears:

http://www.wildsmart.ca/bearsmart.htm

Bear Cautions and Closures

Please report all bear sightings to 403 591 7755.

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.

The above 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.

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

This week there were two reports of  a cougar in Canmore town site.  Public reported the cougar to be hunting rabbits.  The cougar was tracked and appeared to have left town site.  Cougars are active in the Bow Valley and it is a good reminder to keep pets on leash and supervise children.

There have been no coyote sightings or incidents reported. 

Bears are still denning, but may be seen leaving the den as early as late March.

Wildlife continue to be struck on unfenced portions of the highway.  Watch for wildlife on the highway and drive the speed limit.

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

Grizzlies

Part1: Roads, acccess & Grizzly Bears in Alberta

Part 2: What do we really know about grizzly bear reproduction?

Gordon Stenhouse

Research Scientist & Program Leader

Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program

Thursday March 1st, 7 pm

Canmore Collegiate High School

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Canmore for your contribution to the WildSmart Speaker Series in 2012.

Please note this event is free and donations are welcome

and needed to continue our charitable work in the Bow Valley.

WildSmart Speaker Series Poster

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

Where the Wildlife Roam, John Paczkowski

In this episode of the WildSmart Speaker Series, John Paczkowski gives his presentation, Where the Wildlife Roam: Wildlife Movement and Corridor Use in the Bow Valley.

In 2001, Canada hosted the G8 Summit in Kananaskis. One of the outcomes of the summit was the creation of the Kananaskis Summit Environmental Legacy, to improve habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors, and to reduce wildlife mortality in the Bow River valley near Canmore, Alberta.

Join John as he takes us through the reasons behind the G8 legacy mitigations, learn what underpasses are, how they are used and by who, and recent research on wildlife corridor connectivity and corridor movement in the Bow Valley.

Listen to Podcast Where the Wildlife Roam, John Paczkowski

Use the following link to view all podcasts:
http://www.wildsmart.ca/resources/multimedia/#podcasts 

Podcasts of WildSmart Speaker Series courtesy of Friends of Banff National Park & 101.1FM Banff’s Very Own Park Radio

Wildlife movement and corridor use in the Bow Valley

Tuesday November 29^th, 7 pm

Canmore Collegiate High School Theater

Free.  Donations welcome

John Paczkowski

Park Ecologist

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation

In 2001, Canada hosted the G8 Summit in Kananaskis.  One of the outcomes of the summit was the creation of the Kananaskis Summit Environmental Legacy, to improve habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors, and to reduce wildlife mortality in the Bow River valley near Canmore, Alberta.

Join John as he takes us through the reasons behind the G8 legacy mitigations, learn what underpasses are, how they are used and by who, and recent research on wildlife corridor connectivity and corridor movement in the Bow Valley.

A big thank you to our sponsor Alberta Ecotrust for making this program possible.

For the Period: October 21 to 27, 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

This will be the last bear activity report for the season. Please continue to report sightings or bear activity should they occur. We would appreciate feedback related to the weekly summary. If people find it useful (or not) or they feel something is missing from the report, please let us know and we will consider including it for next season. Have a great winter and we’ll be back next spring!

Bear Activity Trends

There was grizzly bear activity reported in the Georgetown Zone this week. Black bear activity has been reported at South Canmore and Quaite Valley Zones.

Important Notes

There are still a few bears out so continue to be vigilant. 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.

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

For the Period: October 14 to 20, 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

Grizzly bear cubs in the Rockies will usually stay with their mother for 3 to 4 years before going out on their own. In other areas, such as Sweden, cubs will only stay with their mother for one or two years. It is rare for a mother to have a new litter of cubs while still looking after cubs from a previous litter. There is a grizzly bear in the Kananaskis who appears to have two generations of cubs with her at the moment. She currently has 2 cubs born this year with her and a third , larger cub who appears to be a two year old. It is strongly suspected that the third larger cub is hers from three years ago. They have been travelling together much of the summer and fall.

Bear Activity Trends

There was no grizzly bear activity reported in the Bow Valley this week. Black bear activity has been reported at South Canmore, Silvertip, Lac des Arcs, Quaite Valley, Heart Creek and YMCA 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.