CANMORE – A young cinnamon-coloured black bear was the talk of downtown Canmore on Sunday (Sept. 15) when a crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the bruin sitting in a tree.
The bear, estimated to be around one and a half years old, found its way into a pine tree near Main Street and 6th Ave. late morning.
RCMP, bylaw and peace officers were on scene to keep onlookers from getting too close while waiting for Fish and Wildlife to arrive.
After assessing the situation, a Fish and Wildlife officer tranquilized the bear with a dart gun. The darted bruin was then carried into a bear trap for relocation.
The youngling, which was known to officers, was transported 56-kilometres north of town.
Nick de Ruyter, Bow Valley WildSmart program director, said relocated bears have a survival rating of around 30 per cent.
“Moving a bear in the fall is especially difficult as they need to eat as much as possible before their winter hibernation, which can be difficult when moved to a completely new area,” said de Ruyter in an email.
De Ruyter referenced a black bear sow with three cubs, which were relocated 200 kilometres north of Canmore, in 2022, but returned in two weeks.
“Fifty-six kilometres north of Canmore is not very far away and there is a chance it will come back,” he said.
The Town of Canmore’s fruit tree removal incentive program is a first-come-first-serve initiative that covers 100 per cent of the pretax cost, up to $500, to remove fruit trees or bushes by a tree removal service.
WildSmart also has pruning shears, extendable pole saw pruners and fruit pickers, which can be borrowed to removed fruit from their property. To borrow equipment, email resource@biosphereinstitute.org.
“We all need to work together to stop encouraging bears to come into town,” said de Ruyter. “That means we all need to stop feeding them by removing all potential wildlife attractants from our yards, including fruit from our trees and ground, berries, pet food, garbage, bird feeders, recycling and greasy BBQs.”
The Outlook reached out to the Town of Canmore in regard to whether any businesses or residents were charged in relation to attracting the bear into town, but did not hear back before publication.
Bears can be reported to Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-642-3800, the Town of Canmore Municipal Enforcement at 403-678-4244 or Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755.
For more information about bear safety, visit: alberta.ca/alberta-bearsmart.
A bear sits in a tree in in downtown Canmore, near Tin Box, on Sunday (Sept. 15). The bear, which the species hasn't been identified currently, was tranquilized by Fish and Wildlife officer to be relocated. pic.twitter.com/mqS5BFHMQp
— Matthew Thompson (@Matthewthomp_) September 15, 2024