Wildlife

Foxes in Cochrane 

As spring unfurls its beauty across Alberta, foxes are becoming more prevalent, underscoring the importance of responsibly managing attractants to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. It is important to learn how to safeguard against potential conflicts by securing trash, removing tempting food sources, and sealing off potential hiding spots.  

Here's how:

• Secure trash: Keep garbage cans tightly sealed to avoid attracting foxes. 

• Remove food sources: Store pet food indoors and clean up fallen fruits or birdseed. 

• Close off hiding spots: Seal off crawl spaces and other potential shelters to discourage foxes from nesting.

 • Educate neighbors: Spread the word about attractant management to create a fox-friendly community.

Let's coexist peacefully with these clever creatures by effectively managing attractants.

Bears in Cochrane

There has been a recent increase in the number of reports about bears in residential neighborhoods. When winter approaches, bears are looking for as much food as they can before hibernation. To help bears not associate humans with food, for our safety and theirs, please: 

• Put waste, recycling and organics carts out in the morning, not the night before.
• Keep compost indoors; outdoor compost attracts bears.
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active (Apr. 1-Nov. 30); clean up any spilled bird seed.
• Clean your barbecue; scrub after each use, and store in a garage or shed. 
• Consider removing fruit trees and berry bushes; pick the ripening fruit as early as possible, and store in secure, airtight containers.
• Never leave food out for wildlife.
• Let your neighbors know if you've seen a bear nearby; talk to them about being BearSmart at home. 

Coyotes in Cochrane 

Coyotes are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and help control the population of other wildlife such as rodents, but they should still be treated with care and caution. Always keep the following in mind: 

• Clean and maintain bird feeders and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.
• Put your waste, recycling and organics bins out on the morning of collection (before 7 a.m.). 
• Clean up after pets; animal feces attracts coyotes.
• Keep cats indoors.
• Don't leave pets unattended in your yard.
• Keep dogs on-leash except in designated off-leash areas. 

For more information on living with wildlife, see Alberta’s website: 

Living With Wildlife