Be Cougar Alert & Elk Wary

Be Cougar Alert

• Keep children close to you.
• Avoid surprise encounters. Make noise to alert cougars of your presence (cougars generally avoid people).
• Keep your dog on a leash or leave it at home.
• Avoid any area where you smell a dead animal - cougars often cover their kills with forest debris.

If you encounter a cougar

• Always leave room for the cougar to escape.
• Immediately pick up small children.
• Do not run.
• Do not turn your back on the cougar.
• Back away slowly.
• Make yourself appear as large as possible. Open your jacket if you are wearing one.
• Maintain eye contact with the cougar.
• The idea is to convince the cougar that you are not prey and that you may be a threat to it.

If a cougar attacks, fight back with anything at hand.

Report cougar sightings to Kananaskis Country Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.

Download the Living with Cougars pamphlet.

Be Elk Wary

• All elk can be dangerous.
• Female elk can be especially aggressive during calving season (May and June).
• Male elk can be aggressive during the autumn rut (September to November).
• Do not approach elk or their calves - give them plenty of room.
• Keep your dog on a leash.