Rocky View County is home to a diverse range of wildlife species. While there are many benefits to living near wild animals, it is important to know how to co-exist with these animals to minimize conflict and ensure the safety of residents, pets, livestock, and wildlife alike.
Common Wildlife
In most of the county, residents share their neighbourhoods with whitetail and mule deer, moose, elk, raccoons, skunks, badgers, bobcat, fox, rabbits, bats, coyotes and birds of prey. Cougars, black bears and grizzly bears are also common in some parts of the county, residents in these areas should be prepared for an encounter with these animals.
Preventing Problems with Wildlife
Often the best way to prevent problems with wildlife is for residents to make small changes to their property and actions. For example, removing sources of food, water and shelter will encourage animals to go elsewhere.
Avoid attracting wildlife by:
- Ensuring the property is properly fenced.
- Removing food sources by securing garbage, feed and pet food (including bird feeders) inside the home or in a sealed container.
- Eliminating locations for homes and hideouts by keeping the yard clean of debris at all times and by regularly maintaining and inspecting the property and its structures
When Encountering Wildlife
Wild animals generally avoid human contact; however, residents who do see wildlife should maintain their distance.
- Don’t attempt to feed, catch or pet a wild animal.
- Never approach wildlife babies or animal mothers with their babies; the mother’s protective response can be very fierce.
- Report injured or aggressive animals to authorities; don’t attempt to give aid to injured wildlife.
- If confronted, back away from the animal slowly. Attempt to scare the animal by acting big, waving arms, shouting and making noise.
- Pepper spray is an effective deterrent and can be used to stop or prevent an attack. To be effective, it must be sprayed directly into the animal’s nose and eyes. People using pepper spray should seek out a training course and practice drawing and deploying the spray.
When encountering large, threatening animals or carnivores, remain indoors if possible and contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 403.297.6423.
For injured wildlife, including mammals, birds or reptiles, residents can call the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403.946.2361.
How We Can Help
Despite the appropriate prevention measures being implemented, it is still possible for wildlife to become a problem. Rocky View County Agricultural Services can assist residents in circumstances where there is evidence of predation on agricultural livestock by coyotes. For more information on how we can assist in this situation, call Agricultural Services at (403) 230-1401. Alberta Fish and Wildlife is able to assist in other circumstances where a coyote is showing signs of sickness or is behaving aggressively.
Contact
- Alberta Fish and Wildlife
403.297.6423 - Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
403.946.2361 - Cochrane Ecological Institute
403.932.5632