Multiple Bear Notices Issued Across Kananaskis After Two Separate Bluff Charges

Alberta wildlife officials have issued two bear warnings and one temporary closure in Kananaskis Country this week after separate bluff charge incidents involving hikers and pedestrians in popular recreation areas.

The first warning was issued May 5 for several heavily used trails near Troll Falls after a grizzly bear bluff charged a hiker on May 4 and reportedly came within four feet of the individual.

The advisory covers Sunburst Trail, Stoney Trail, Troll Falls Trail, Hay Meadow Trail, Skogan Pass Trail, Hummingbird Plume Lookout Trail, High Level Trail, and surrounding areas in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area.

The area has seen similar encounters before. In July 2025, wildlife officials issued another bear warning for the Troll Falls area after a grizzly bluff charged a visitor.

Two additional notices were issued May 7 following another bluff charge involving a pedestrian on Mount Shark Road in Spray Valley Provincial Park.

That incident prompted a bear warning for the Mount Shark Road and Mount Engadine Lodge area, while the Tryst Lake parking area was temporarily closed until further notice.

Wildlife officials did not report any injuries in either incident.

A bluff charge occurs when a bear charges toward a person defensively, often stopping short of physical contact. Wildlife experts say the behaviour is typically intended to scare off perceived threats rather than attack, though officials warn encounters can escalate quickly if people respond improperly.

The warnings come as bear activity rapidly increases across the Bow Valley and Kananaskis region following a long winter.

Bow Valley WildSmart, a Canmore-based organization focused on reducing human-wildlife conflict, said grizzly bears have been frequently spotted roadside along Highway 40 in recent days as they emerge from dens and search for food in valley bottoms.

“At this time of the year, bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and are often found in the valley bottoms looking for food,” the organization said in a May 1 wildlife update.

The group said warmer weather, greening roadside vegetation, and increasing outdoor recreation are expected to raise the likelihood of human-bear encounters over the coming weeks.

WildSmart also warned that female bears with cubs are beginning to emerge from dens and may behave more defensively if surprised at close range.

Officials are reminding hikers and trail users to carry bear spray, travel in groups, make noise on trails, and keep pets leashed. Drivers are also being asked not to stop along highways to watch wildlife, as roadside “bear jams” can increase risks for both animals and people.

All three notices remain in effect until further notice.