There are two active cougar warnings west of Calgary — a reminder to Albertans to remain vigilant on winter hikes and walks.
After several cougar sightings near Canmore, a warning was issued on Jan. 8 that remains in effect for the city and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park, specifically Cougar Creek, Horseshoe Loop Trails, Montane Traverse Loop and surrounding areas.
John Paczkowski, head of Alberta Parks’ human-wildlife coexistence team, said there have been no sightings in the Canmore area in the past 10 days. He noted that the lack of fresh snow, warm daytime temperatures and competing human footprints make it difficult to track whether or not the animal remains in the area.
“We are monitoring the situation,” Paczkowski said. “It could be a few more days before the warnings go down.”
Another incident, this time in Kananaskis country, prompted a cougar alert Monday.
The cougar reportedly followed a couple walking near the Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge, which is part of the High Rockies Trail from Kent Creek to Black Prince Junction.
In this case, the hikers gave a detailed report to Alberta Parks officials.
The pair heard what was described as a cry as they saw what appeared to be a pair of lynxes, one large and one small. They had stopped to look when one of the hikers noticed something more disturbing nearby.
A pair of lynxes, a pair of cougars
“The husband in the group said, ‘No, let’s get out of here, let’s go,'” Paczkowski said. “Because he saw a cougar crouching under a tree not far away.”
Not just one, but two cougars. The hikers whipped out bear spray and began to leave the area. The cougars hissed and followed ten meters behind.
Paczkowski said the hikers returned to the road and the cougars did not approach.
This type of behavior, Paczkowski added, is not typical. But because cougars have a hard time making kills in the early fall and winter, when ungulates can still build up enough energy to escape hunting, it’s a challenge for predators — especially young cougars.
“So they’re starting to show up a little bit and, you know, maybe crossing the lines.”
The province has about 1,500 cougars
Alberta has a healthy cougar population, said Paul Frame, provincial carnivore specialist for Alberta Fish and Wildlife. He said the population built up over several decades, following population growth in white-tailed deer and other ungulates.
Frame said the province believes there are about 1,500 cougars spread across Alberta. That number was around 600 or 700 a decade ago.
Normally, he added, cougars can live near humans without incident.
But in winter they can be easier to spot because there is less foliage to hide behind and they leave tracks in the snow.
In one study conducted by the province, they housed about 100 cougars and monitored their behavior for six years, Frame said.
“We had a young man who went wild and high, and he was hanging around the town of Whitecourt for two months,” Frame said. “We have no reports of him… no sightings, no reports of any problems with him. And eventually he moved on.”
While cougars tend to be wary of humans, attacks do happen.
The last recorded cougar attack in Alberta occurred in August 2022. Frame said the province has been about three years since the previous attack.
How to act when a cougar approaches
The best advice for those going on winter hikes or walks is to not let your guard down.
Bear spray is also useful in the colder months. Paczkowski said there isn’t much data on its use against cougars, but added that it would slow or stop a cougar attack in a pinch.
Other strategies when encountering a cougar are to be assertive and not look weak, look big, make noise, wave a stick, or even throw things at the cougar.
“If a cougar approaches in a threatening manner, that’s hunting,” Frame said. “The best way to deal with this is to make the cougar think it’s not worth the risk of trying to attack.”
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