Imagine stepping into the breathtaking wilderness of Kananaskis Country, where towering mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear water stretch as far as the eye can see. But what if your next adventure includes spotting elusive wildlife like Black Bears, Elk, or a Cougar in their natural habitat? Wildlife sightings in Kananaskis are more than just an exciting opportunity for nature lovers; by reporting what you’ve seen you are helping preserve this vibrant ecosystem. By sharing your observations you contribute to ongoing conservation efforts, help wildlife managers track populations, identify trends, assist with research, and ensure the safety of both animals and visitors. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a casual explorer, your wildlife sighting could make a big difference in understanding and protecting the natural wonders of Kananaskis.

If you weren’t already aware, officials want you to report your wildlife sightings to Kananaskis Dispatch. More specifically, they’re looking for reports of large predators, such as Grizzly and Black Bears, Wolves, and Cougars. They also want to hear about problem or aggressive wildlife; basically situations where people have been put in danger or property has been damaged. 

If you’ve never reported wildlife before, you should know you’ll be asked several questions about what you saw. These questions could include but are not limited to:

  • Your name and contact details in case follow-up is required
  • Species you saw
  • Location (be as specific as possible – trail names, landmarks, GPS coordinates, etc.)
  • What the animal was doing
  • Was the animal feeding, if so on what
  • If it was moving, the direction the animal was headed
  • Approximate time when you saw it
  • How close you were to the animal
  • How the animal reacted to your presence (i.e. surprised, aggressive, indifferent, curious, etc.)
  • Did the animal have any visible tags or collars (note number/colour of tag if possible)
  • Were there any babies present
  • If the sighting was along a road, were other people/vehicles stopped or were people out of their cars
  • Any other pertinent information that wasn’t covered with the above questions

All sightings are tracked and the data can be used in a number of ways. Public safety is always at the top of the list. Officials use the information to help prevent conflicts and/or vehicle collisions. They can also utilize the information to place warnings or closures on specific areas/trails due to the nature/frequency of the reports. The reports are also useful to assist in tracking wildlife movements, data collection, supporting conservation efforts, and research projects.

The next time you spot a large predator or an unusual wildlife situation, please take the time to report it to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. You will be assisting in ongoing valuable research, conservation efforts, and public safety initiatives.