CANMORE – A warning remains in place for a cougar that had been feeding on a carcass by the Legacy Trail near Harvie Heights on the weekend.
On Saturday (July 2), conservation officers from Alberta Parks’ Environmental Enforcement Branch responded to reports of a cougar feeding on a deer carcass about 20 metres south of the Legacy Trail, just east of the Banff National Park boundary. The carcass has since been removed.
“A closure was initially put in place due to a lack of light that prevented officers from safely locating the cougar or moving the carcass,” said John Muir, a spokesperson for Alberta Parks in an email.
“Cougars, like other carnivores, will defend a carcass that they are actively feeding on, posing a threat to humans in the area.”
Conservation officers returned to the area at 7 a.m. on July 3 and removed what remained of the carcass.
“The cougar did not appear to be in the area,” said Muir.
“As a result, the closure was removed and a warning was put in place as a precaution. It is expected to remain in place for a few more days until officers deem it to no longer be necessary.”
While cougars generally avoid people, Alberta Parks offers the following safety advice to residents and visitors:
• Keep children close to you.
• Avoid surprise encounters by making noise to alert cougars of your presence.
• 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, Alberta Parks advises:
• 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.
