Wildlife safety

Whether you plan to drive, hike, camp, or just kick back and relax when visiting Waterton Lakes National Park, know that your behaviour either contributes to or detracts from the survival of wildlife - and your own safety.

Seeing wildlife is often the highlight of a visit to a national park. Wildlife must be treated with the respect they deserve. Approaching or feeding them threatens their survival. A fed animal is a dead animal.

Once animals become used to being around people (habituated), they pose a danger to us, our families, other visitors, and themselves. Animals that become used to the presence of humans area also more likely to die unnatural deaths.

When driving

• Rather than stopping to view wildlife near the road, continue to proceed slowly.
• If you choose to stop, stay in your vehicle. Be courteous to other drivers and do not block lanes.
• Stay at least 30 metres (100 feet) away from elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep.
• Stay at least 100 metres (325 feet) away from bears, cougars and wolves.

• Resist the urge to get close or call out to draw animals closer. Telephoto lenses get the best photos. If you cause an animal to move, you are too close.
• Stay only a few minutes. Leave immediately if an animal is huffing, yawning, pawing, stamping, has flattened its ears, or looks stressed in any way.
• Do not follow, approach, or pet wildlife (even the little ones!)
• Never feed wildlife. A fed animal is a dead animal. Feeding wildlife is prohibited by law and may lead to a fine of up to $25,000.

In the campground

• Keep a "Bare" Campsite, and never leave food unsupervised. Pack away anything with a scent (food, pet food, garbage, dishes, and toiletries) inside your vehicle, hard-sided trailer or in a bear-proof storage container. Locked coolers are not bear-proof.
• Never leave children or pets unsupervised.
• If you choose to bring your pet, always keep them leashed and under control.
• Your pet is seen as either predator or prey to wildlife and they will respond accordingly. Deer are especially aggressive around dogs when they have newborn fawns.

On the trail

• Carry bear spray on your hip or chest (a place where you can quickly reach it) and know how to use it. Bear spray is not applied to your body like bug spray.
• Bear bells and whistles are not effective wildlife deterrents.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for carcasses, diggings, tracks, and fresh scat. These are signs that wildlife is nearby.
• Find an animal carcass? Leave the area immediately. Bears and carnivores may act aggressively to defend a food source. Call Parks Canada Dispatch to report: 1-888-927-3367
• Pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste in a bear-proof garbage bin.
• Make noise. Let wildlife know you’re nearby. Talk or shout occasionally, especially when approaching water, berry bushes, blind corners, or avalanche slopes.
• Leave your drone at home. Drones are known to disturb wildlife and disrupt their natural behaviours.

Bear safety

Waterton Lakes National Park is home to both grizzly and black bears. Although the chances of having an encounter with an aggressive bear are low, proper planning can help reduce your risk and help protect bears. Follow the bear-aware rules.

If you are approached by a wolf, cougar or coyote

• When approached by a carnivore, the best thing to do is act aggressively (stomp your feet, yell, throw something, use your bear spray). The animal may be testing to see if you are prey - make it clear that you (and your dog) are not.
• Pick up small children immediately. Stand your ground, but never jump towards the animal. Do not run.
• By acting aggressively, you reduce risks to yourself and others. It also helps prevent the animal from becoming habituated to humans.
• Report your encounter when it is safe to do so by calling Parks Canada Dispatch: 1-888-927-3367

Elk safety

Do not approach elk. During the mating season (August through October) males can be aggressive and attack without warning. In the calving season (May through June) female elk will aggressively defend their young.

Deer safety

The long-term presence of deer in the Waterton community has created situation which is affecting the safety of the park's visitors and community members. Deer may appear docile at times, but aggressive deer are present in the community. Extra caution is needed during fawning season (June through July).

For your safety and for the safety of the deer, stay at least 30 metres away while watching them, and do not entice or feed them. Be particularly cautious when walking your dog. Mothers with fawns have been known to attack dogs.

Seasonal considerations

• Spring: In March and April, bears emerge from their dens and spend time in valley bottoms. Be bear aware on low-elevation trails and at roadsides.
• Early summer: In May and June, give bears and elk lots of space and watch for ticks. Female bears and cubs are emerging from their dens and spending time in valley bottoms and near roadsides. Female elk are calving and can be aggressive. Check your clothing and body for ticks after time on the trail. Tick bites can cause serious illness.
• Late summer: In August, when berries are ripe, bears gorge on all available food sources to gain weight for the winter. They may not hear or see you, as they are focused on feeding. Make noise when approaching areas with berry bushes.
• Fall: September and October is a critical time for bears preparing for winter. Male elk are rutting and can be aggressive.
• Early winter: Bears may stay awake as late as mid-December and may wake periodically throughout the wintertime.

Learn more

AdventureSmart: Bear and cougar safety