BANFF WILDLIFE
Banff National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, from majestic elk and grizzly bears to elusive lynx and soaring bald eagles. Its vast
wilderness provides a sanctuary for these incredible species, offering visitors a rare chance to see nature in its purest form.
53
mammal species
311
bird species
19
fish species
1
reptile species
9
carnivores
Keep Your Distance:
Wild Animals Are Wild
Bear, Wolf, Cougar
100 meters / 300 feet
Elk, Bison, Moose, all others
30 meters / 90 feet
Bear, Wolf, Cougar
100 meters / 300 feet
Think You Want To Meet An Animal Eh?
Weight 200lbs
Speed 20 MPH
Human
Grizzly Bear
Height 8’0”
Weight 500 lbs
Speed 35 MPH
How do you match up against Banff’s best?
Click on the animal to find out!
Black Bear
Height: 3’0“
Weight: 275 lbs
Speed: 25 mph
Skills: Good swimmers
Great climbers
Bison
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 2000 lbs
Speed: 35 mph
Skills: Good jumpers
Great swimmers
Elk
Height: 5’0″ (shoulder)
Weight: 700 lbs
Speed: 40 mph
Skills: Good jumpers
Great fighters
Cougar (Lion)
Height: 3’0“
Weight: 140 lbs
Speed: 50 mph
Skills: Excellent jumpers
Stealth
Moose
Height:6’0″ (shoulder)
Weight: 1400 lbs
Speed: 35 mph
Skills: Good swimmers
Extremely strong
Wolf
Height: 2’6″ (shoulder)
Weight: 100 lbs
Speed: 37 mph
Skills: Excellent smell
Excellent hearing
Coyote
Height: 1’6″ (shoulder)
Weight: 40 lbs
Speed: 40 mph
Skills: Excellent smell
Excellent hearing
Lynx (Bobcat)
Height:1’8″ (shoulder)
Weight: 30 lbs
Speed: 50 mph
Skills: Excellent jumpers
Stealth
Fox
Height: 1’6″ (shoulder)
Weight: 18 lbs
Speed: 30 mph
Skills: Night vision
Excellent hearing
Wolverine
Height: 1’6″ (shoulder)
Weight: 35 lbs
Speed: 30 mph
Skills: Ferocious fighter
Excellent climbers
Mountain Goat
Height: 3’4″ (shoulder)
Weight: 200 lbs
Speed: 15 mph
Skills: Expert mountaineers
Excellent jumpers
Bighorn Sheep
Height: 3’0″ (shoulder)
Weight: 300 lbs
Speed: 30 mph
Skills: Excellent sight
Excellent hearing
Which of these animals
accounts for more attacks than all others combined!
WARNING SIGNS:
How To Avoid An Attack
The best way to avoid an attack from any animal is to take preventative measures well before encountering any animal. You want to see them from a distance, not up close. No matter the animal, do the following…
- MAKE NOISE WHILE HIKING
- DON’T BE A SURPRISE
- REMAIN CALM
- TALK TO IT
- ACT LARGE
- DON’T BE AGGRESSIVE
- GET YOUR BEAR SPRAY
Animals often give warning signs before they feel threatened enough to attack. The best way to stay safe is to keep your distance, but if you encounter a majestic creature, here are some common signals to watch for.
WARNING SIGNS
- Ears back
- Teeth bared
- Hissing
- Tail twitching
- Hind feet activated/ready to jump