Tips for Living with Wildlife

• Living With Wildlife pamphlet
• Preventing Conflict with Wildlife-Cougars pamphlet
• Bow Valley WildSmart is a proactive conservation strategy that encourages communities to reduce negative human-wildlife interactions for the benefit of all.

Living in the Canmore Area

• Many of the trails in the benchlands above Canmore are located in a critical wildlife corridor.
• This corridor allows bears, cougars, wolves and elk to move between habitat patches where they find food, escape predators, breed, give birth and establish territories.
• In this wildlife corridor, people are restricted to designated trails to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
• It is illegal to use trails other than those shown on the benchlands trails map and posted signs.
• The potential for encounters with wildlife always exists. To prevent such encounters:
  • call out regularly to make your presence known to animals so that you don't startle them;
  • keep children within 10 feet of an adult at all times; and
  • keep your dog on a leash.
• If you see a bear or cougar, call Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
• Trails may be closed temporarily due to bear activity or other wildlife concerns - please respect these closures to ensure both your safety and the safety of wildlife.

Living in Cougar Country

As human activity increases in Kananaskis Country and in the Bow Valley area, there is a greater likelihood of human-cougar encounters and people living in cougar country must take special precautions. We monitor cougar activity and work to protect the species while minimizing risk to residents throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country.

• When children are outdoors, they should:
  • play in supervised groups;
  • stay away from dense vegetation; and
    
  • return inside before dusk.
• When walking (or skiing) in or near wooded areas:
  • travel in groups;
  • consider carrying a walking stick and pepper spray; and
    
  • make noise to alert cougars of your presence.
• Dogs and cats are easy prey for many predators. Free-roaming pets may attract and be attacked by cougars.
  • Never let your pet roam freely.
  • Walk your pet during the day, avoiding identified wildlife corridors such as along waterways and wooded areas.
  • Bring your pet in at night.
• Do not leave attractants like pet food and garbage outside - always use wildlife-proof garbage bins.
• Avoid areas where carcasses have been left. Be aware that cougars often cover their kill with forest debris. Your nose may detect what your eyes cannot!

Download the Preventing Conflict with Wildlife-Cougars pamphlet.