Bow Valley WildSmart

08/28/2026

🐻There continues to be lots of bear activity within the Bow Valley and K-Country. It is all about dogwood berries for the bears right now and fresh black bear s**t was seen this morning along the river trails in Canmore (likely from last night) and it had lots of dogwood berries in it!
🐻Any patch of berries, large or small, could be hiding a bear so people need to be cognizant of this. If you see berries - think bears!
🐻Dogwood is a big attractant for bears and it’s found in residential areas, along the river trails and at campgrounds throughout the Bow Valley. As such, we need to work together as a community to ensure that all fruit (including Dogwood, Crabapples, Cherries and Mountain Ash) are removed from trees NOW before a bear gets into them.
🐻Did you Know? As per the Community Standards Bylaw in Canmore - if a bear is found feeding in your fruit tree, the first offence would be $1,000!
🐻Take advantage of the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program NOW before the money runs out AND before you get a large fine!
🐻There have been reports of people going into areas with bear closures in place. This is a significant safety risk to both the people who enter and the bears. Conservation Officers will charge anyone caught in an area closed due to bear activity!
🐻Learn about the importance of giving wildlife space and watch a catchy video about it!
🐻A reminder to campers and day users to ensure you keep a clean and wildlife attractant free picnic area and campsite and Never leave attractants unattended - even for a minute!
🐻Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop on the roadside and create bear jams. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear.
🐻Find out what the bears are eating today plus more in this week's bear report!

Did you know that WildSmart is a program of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors. If you would like to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence, please donate now! BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (August 27, 2026

08/24/2026

Wildlife Closure - Woolley Trail due to wildlife feeding on a dead moose in the area. Woolley Trail is closed from the junction of Wheeler/Meadow Trails to Amos Trail. More info at: https://ow.ly/u7NJ50ZEScc

08/21/2026

🐻There continues to be lots of bear activity within the Bow Valley and K-Country. It is all about dogwood berries for the bears right now and the bears are seeking out any areas where there are berry patches.
🐻Dogwood is a big attractant for bears and it’s found in residential areas, along the river trails and at campgrounds throughout the Bow Valley. As such, residents should be removing berry bushes and any fruit from the trees in their yards now to help keep bears out of trouble!
🐻Always be prepared and on the lookout for bears feeding on berries while you recreate, as many berry bushes are found along popular trails.
🐻If you see a bear: stop, speak calmly, and slowly leave the area - give them plenty of space, at least 100m! Do not try to sneak past them and don’t expect bears to move off a food source.
🐻High-speed encounters with bears feeding on berries along trails are happening! Mountain bikers and Trail Runners who are moving quickly (and often quietly) need to be extra vigilant and making lots of noise utilizing their voices (yelling and shouting) on the trails.
🐻Learn about the importance of putting your food away and watch a catchy video about it!
🐻Whether you are sitting at a picnic table, or along a river or lake - Never feed wildlife and do not let bears and other wildlife get any food rewards as a Fed Bear is a Dead Bear!
🐻A reminder to campers and day users to ensure you keep a clean and wildlife attractant free picnic area and campsite and Never leave attractants unattended - even for a minute!
🐻Take advantage of the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program NOW before the money runs out AND before you get a large fine!
🐻Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop on the roadside and create bear jams. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear.
🐻Find out where and when you can join Alberta Parks Interpreters for a variety of entertaining theatrical presentations plus more in this week's bear report!

Did you know that WildSmart is a program of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors. If you would like to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence, please donate now! BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (August 20, 2026

08/21/2026

Bear Warning - Many Springs Trail due to multiple black bears that have been seen feeding on berries in the area. More info at: https://ow.ly/gvIo50ZCuIO

08/19/2026

Bear Warning - Interlakes, Boulton Creek and Lower Lake Campgrounds due to bears frequenting the area. More info at: https://ow.ly/CIll50ZBAfp

08/19/2026

Bear Warning - Three Sisters Campground due to multiple black bears that have been observed within the campground recently. More info at: https://ow.ly/x3Vo50ZBA9C

08/19/2026

Bear Closure - Mt. Lorette Ponds Day Use Area due to bear activity in the area. More info at: https://ow.ly/LSGy50ZBA6c

08/14/2026

🐻Bear activity has increased a lot this past week with bears in search of the berries that are out in the Bow Valley. Berry abundance is not great this summer and this is making bears move around the landscape in search of this food source.
🐻As bears search for berries they are going through day use areas and campgrounds and it is key for them not to get into any unnatural food sources while in these locations.
🐻People need to be prepared to encounter bears if they are in areas that have buffalo and dogwood berries and bikers and trail runners need to be making lots of noise as surprise encounters with bears feeding on berries are happening in the Bow Valley and K-Country. That being said, bears will be focused on eating berries and even if you make noise, bears may not move off berry patches.
🐻Whether you are sitting at a picnic table, or along a river or lake - Never feed wildlife and do not let bears and other wildlife get any food rewards as a Fed Bear is a Dead Bear!
🐻A reminder to campers and day users to ensure you keep a clean and wildlife attractant free picnic area and campsite and Never leave attractants unattended - even for a minute!
🐻Take advantage of the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program NOW before the money runs out AND before you get a large fine!
🐻Learn about the importance of never leaving children unsupervised in your backyard, and securing and removing attractants from towns and backyards in order to avoid drawing bears in and getting them (and potentially people) into trouble.
🐻Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop on the roadside and create bear jams. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear.
🐻Learn about some of the signs bears leave in the forest - this month it is Broken Logs.
🐻Find out what bears do in August plus more in this week's bear report!

Did you know that WildSmart is a program of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors. If you would like to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence, please donate now! BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (August 14, 2026

08/14/2026

Bear Warning - Mt. Lorette Ponds Day Use Area due to a black bear sow and her cub that have been frequently observed around the ponds, picnic areas, and parking lot. Do not approach or exit your vehicle if the bear is observed nearby. More info at: https://ow.ly/Jnrr50ZzNNE

08/14/2026

Bear Warning - Horseshoe Loop Trail due to a close encounter with a black bear and her cubs. More info at: https://ow.ly/mWaX50ZzNwN