On Tuesday, wildlife photographer Mike Reece visited Fish Creek Provincial Park in search of owls, but he encountered something unexpected.
“I noticed a dark shape moving in the bushes,” Reece recounted. “I thought, ‘No, it can’t be.’”
To his surprise, he came face-to-face with a black bear.
“The bear’s head popped up, and it just stared at me,” he explained. “It was only about four feet away.”
Wildlife photographer Mike Reece encountered this black bear in Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park on June 16, 2026. (Mike Reece)
“In the past, I’ve yelled at black bears since they usually run away,” Reece shared. “This time, I didn’t have the chance to shout. The bear just turned and dashed toward the river.”
Eager to avoid another encounter, he quickly turned around, only to spot the bear again at a nearby beaver dam moments later.
Reece had initially gone to Fish Creek Provincial Park to photograph owls, when he encountered this black bear. (Mike Reece)
“It was climbing over logs and seemed to be fishing,” Reece noted. “I saw it munching on cattails.”
“At the same time, the beavers were slapping their tails down, likely confused by the presence of a black bear in their territory,” he added. “It made for an exhilarating evening.”
Going forward, Reece intends to carry bear spray while in Fish Creek.
Wildlife officials suggest that the black bear is likely a juvenile. (Mike Reece)
Reece is not alone in his encounter; other individuals have reported seeing the same bear, according to Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES).
“Since June 16, [FWES] has received several reports of a small black bear spotted in Fish Creek Provincial Park, located in southwest Calgary,” the province announced in a statement.
“This small black bear is likely a juvenile and has primarily been seen in the green spaces of the park, particularly around Marshall Springs, Votier’s Flats, and Bebo Grove.”
Signage in Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park cautions visitors that the area is home to various potentially dangerous animals, including bears, cougars, coyotes, and moose. (Amir Said/CBC)
“FWES has not received any reports indicating aggressive or defensive behavior from the bear, nor is there any evidence suggesting it has been accessing unnatural food sources,” the province remarked.
Bears Frequently Sighted in Southwest Calgary
According to Calgary wildlife biologist Sara Jordan-McLachlan, bear sightings in and around Fish Creek are “more common than one might expect.”
She stated that the area serves as a wildlife corridor that animals frequently traverse, offering “excellent habitat for bears with abundant food sources, numerous berry bushes, and plenty of tubers to consume. Therefore, it’s not unusual for them to come and go.”
Kristine Strom recorded a young black bear in an unusual setting: the Westhills shopping centre in southwest Calgary. Hours later, police reported that the bear had been captured in the nearby Signal Hill neighborhood.
The City of Calgary has stated that it does not monitor bear sightings nor directly handle bear-related situations.
The city’s website provides information on 11 neighborhoods known to have bear activity, all located in the southwest quadrant. These areas include Oakridge, Discovery Ridge, and Woodlands.
In the previous year, FWES relocated two bears captured within Calgary.
On October 9, Alberta Fish and Wildlife apprehended a black bear in the Oakridge community of southwest Calgary after receiving reports of the same bear in the vicinity over several weeks. The agency informed CBC News that the bear was successfully relocated outside the city.
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“It’s wise to be prepared for a potential bear encounter at any time,” Jordan-McLachlan advised. “Sticking to designated trails will also help, as bears likely retreat to areas where they don’t expect to see humans during the day.”
“If you do spot a bear, it’s probably non-aggressive and used to human presence,” she added.
However, this does not mean individuals should let their guard down.
“Bears can become so engrossed in their food, whether it’s ants or berries, that they may not notice a person nearby,” Jordan-McLachlan warned. “This could certainly lead to a defensive reaction.”
While it’s unlikely for the bear to actively seek out a confrontation, Jordan-McLachlan emphasizes the importance of not attempting to track the bear.
“The more people try to find it, the more cornered the bear will feel, increasing the likelihood of aggressive encounters,” she cautioned.