Living in the Bow Valley means protecting wildlife and pets.

Dogs are welcome residents of Banff and Canmore, but unrestrained dogs can cause stress for wildlife. Even the most obedient dogs may harass wildlife to protect their humans.

Off-leash dogs can trigger aggressive behaviour in bears, coyotes, cougars and elk. A dog running loose may bring back an agitated animal to the dog owner or other people. Humans, especially children are at risk of injury or death.

A bear, cougar or coyote made aggressive by a roaming dog may have to be relocated away from its home or killed. Show you care about wildlife and protect your pet and yourself. Leash your dog at all times.

Follow these tips to keep pets and wildlife safe:

1. 1
   Use a leash at all times, except in:

   • Banff's fenced Off-Leash Dog Park
   • Canmore’s Off-Leash Dog Parks
   • A fenced, private property
2. 2
   Never leave dog food unattended. Bears have been attracted into the townsite by dog food left outside.
3. 3
   Protect wildlife, big and small. Dogs harass wild animals, from squirrels and marmots to deer and elk.
4. 4
   Banff and Canmore have fines for off-leash dogs— it’s illegal. In Banff National Park the maximum fine for disturbing wildlife is $25,000.

Living in the Bow Valley means taking out the garbage safely.

Canmore and Banff have bear-proof waste bins to protect humans and wildlife. But they are made useless if humans fail to put garbage inside securely.

Household waste can attract carnivores into town. Food and drink containers really appeal to wildlife. But even furniture and appliances have food aromas that can attract large animals. And leaving bottles outside a bin is not doing anyone any favours.

Carnivores who learn to find food in town put humans and pets at risk. And if they are habituated, they might need to be relocated or killed. Bin it if you care.

Follow these tips to dispose of waste responsibly:

1. 1
   Dispose of garbage, recycling and compost in the appropriate bin.

   • Find out where in Banff.
   • Find out where in Canmore.
2. 2
   Do not leave bottles beside bins. They attract wildlife.
3. 3
   Do not leave furniture (your old couch) beside bins.

   • Call the Town of Banff for free curbside pick-up.
   • Call the Town of Canmore for free pick-up.
4. 4
   Be aware there are big fines for littering and even bigger fines for feeding wildlife in the national park, even if it is accidental.

Living in the Bow Valley means grilling responsibly.

The scent of last night’s dinner is a powerful draw for bears and other wildlife. After a taste for human food they will keep returning for more, which can make them bold and aggressive. A dirty BBQ puts you, your pets, and your neighbours kids at risk.

And a bear that keeps coming back for seconds may need to be relocated away from its home or even killed.

Do your part to save wildlife by avoiding attracting animals.

Follow these tips to keep your barbecue clean—and everyone safe:

1. 1
   Never leave your barbecue unattended while cooking.
2. 2
   Turn the grill on high for several minutes to burn off food residue and grease. Scrub clean after each use and remove drip pans. Don’t forget to clean and put away cooking utensils too.
3. 3
   If possible, cover and store your barbecue in a secure space like your garage or shed when it’s not in use.
4. 4
   Remember to compost cooking waste indoors, or take your food scraps to the neighbourhood bear-proof food bins.

Living in the Bow Valley means removing forbidden fruit.

Fruit trees and shrubs have become even more attractive to bears as we've gotten better at removing access to garbage and food waste. When they learn where to get food, they’ll continue returning, getting bolder and more aggressive. Even without contact, a bear in town may need to be relocated away from its home. Repeat visitors may even need to be killed

Follow these tips to keep bears and our community safe:

1. 1
   If you have a fruit tree, have it replaced with a wildlife-friendly alternative.

   • Contact Banff for a free tree replacement
   • Contact Canmore for fruit tree removal incentive
2. 2
   Bears are interested in ripening fruit on trees, so picking off the ground isn’t enough. And fences are no match for their climbing skills.
3. 3
   You should remove all fruit trees and shrubs, but these are the biggest draws for bears:

   • Crabapples (ornamental or edible), apples, plums
   • Chokecherry, pin cherry, Saskatoon berry, elderberry
   • Red osier dogwood, mountain ash, buffaloberry (or soapberry)
   • Elderberry
4. 4
   Use WildSmart, FireSmart and environmentally responsible landscaping.

Living in the Bow Valley means not feeding wild animals.

Bird feeders may seem like an innocent addition to your yard, but remember they attract bears, and coyotes. Spilled bird feed also attracts deer, which attract carnivores into town. Animals who learn to find food in town put humans and pets at risk. Carnivores could be relocated away from their home or even killed.

Bird feeders are illegal in Banff year-round, April-November in Canmore and it’s a crime to feed any wildlife in Banff National Park all year round.

Follow these tips to avoid attracting predators:

1. 1
   If you have a bird feeder, remove it and dispose of the birdfeed safely.
2. 2
   Taking feeders in at night won’t outsmart bears. There are usually enough seeds left on the ground to keep attracting wildlife.
3. 3
   Bird feeders are a popular school craft project. Make sure teachers, kids and parents know they're dangerous.
4. 4
   Be aware of fines in Banff and Canmore. Feeding wildlife in the national park carries a maximum fine of $25,000.

Living in the Bow Valley means wildproofing your property.

Patios and crawl spaces under sheds or stairs are attractive hiding or denning places for cougars, foxes, bears, coyotes, and other animals. Proactive prevention is the best way to keep carnivores from taking up residence in your residence.

Blocking holes and covering access to hiding places will keep your pets and neighbours safe, and could prevent the need to relocate or kill habituated wild animals.

Spring is the best time to wild-proof your property, with an extra check before winter.

Follow these tips to avoid attracting animal guests:

1. 1
   Board up open spaces under decks or patios or close them off with durable wire mesh.
2. 2
   Install motion-activated security lights if possible. They may help frighten away carnivores.
3. 3
   Keep cats indoors and bring dogs inside at night. If your dog is outside unsupervised in the day, make sure they’re in a secure, covered kennel.
4. 4
   If you see a cougar or other wildlife in the Banff town site, call Parks Canada at 403-762-1470. To report a cougar or other aggressive wildlife in Canmore, call Kananaskis Emergency Services 403-591-7755