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.
