Bear Safety

Bears are attracted to the smell of food. Do not invite bears to your campsite through carelessness.

• Always store food out of reach of bears. Use airtight containers in the trunk of your vehicle if possible.
• Never store food in a tent or tent trailer.
• Never cook or eat in or near your tent.
• Do not burn or bury food scraps.
• Do not litter:
  • Place all garbage in suitable containers provided in campgrounds.
  • Take garbage with you if no containers are available.
• Clean fish at designated cleaning stations. If no cleaning station is available, dispose of fish remains in proper garbage containers.
• Use a flashlight at night.
• Do not move about the campground at night unless absolutely necessary.
• If camping with a dog, keep it on a leash or in your vehicle. An unleashed or noisy dog may irritate a bear.

If you encounter a bear

• Stay calm. Do not run.
• Make loud noises but do not approach the bear - this may help ward it off.
• If the bear is at a distance, calmly place all foodstuffs in your vehicle.
• Enter your vehicle as soon as possible.
• Do not harass or chase the bear.
• Notify park staff as soon as possible. Phone 780-865-6972 to reach a conservation officer. 

BearSmart pamphlet

Cougar Safety

To prevent cougar encounters:

• Learn to recognize cougar behavior and recent signs of activity such as tracks, scats and markings.
• Avoid areas where carcasses have been left. Be aware that cougars often cover their kills with forest debris.
• Encourage children to play in supervised groups when outdoors. Make them come inside before dusk.
• Teach children what to do if they encounter a cougar.
• Keep pets and pet food inside.

When hiking

• Travel in a group.
• Carry a walking stick and pepper spray.
• Make noise to alert cougars of your presence. Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep children and pets close.
• If you stumble on cougar kittens, leave the area immediately. A female cougar will aggressively defend her young.
• Check with the visitor centre about wildlife sightings before your trip. You can also check Advisories.

If you encounter a cougar

• Never approach the animal.
• Always leave room for the cougar to easily escape.
• Immediately pick up your children - children frighten easily and may run, triggering an attack.
• Face the cougar and slowly back away - do not run or play dead.
• Stay calm; talk to the cougar in a strong, firm voice.
• Make yourself look as large as you can. Hold your arms or an object above your head.
• Notify park staff as soon as possible.  Phone 780-865-6972 to reach a conservation officer.

If the cougar is aggressive

• Shout, wave a stick or throw rocks - this may help prevent an attack by making you appear to be a predator instead of prey.
• if a cougar attacks, fight back! People have survived attacks by using bare fists, sticks, fishing rods, rocks, or anything at hand.

Preventing Conflict with Wildlife-Cougars pamphlet