Cougar

The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as the mountain lion or puma, is the largest feline in the Canadian Rockies. A powerful, solitary predator, it is a master of stealth and rarely seen by visitors in Banff National Park.

Identification

Large (up to 200 lb / 90 kg), with short, tawny or reddish-brown fur, a long tail with a black tip, and small, rounded ears. Cougars are powerful jumpers and climbers. Their tracks are large (3–4 inches wide) and lack claw marks, which distinguishes them from wolf or coyote tracks.

Habitat and Diet

Cougars inhabit a wide range of environments, from dense forests to rocky slopes. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Their main prey is deer, but they also hunt elk, bighorn sheep, and smaller mammals. They are territorial and maintain large home ranges.

Safety and Viewing

Sightings are extremely rare. If you encounter a cougar, do not run; stay calm, maintain eye contact, and make yourself look large. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Report all sightings to Parks Canada Dispatch (403-762-4506).

The resort’s Cougar run in the West Bowl is named after this animal.