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Wildlife in Jasper

Jasper Wildlife Guide

Animals you may see in Jasper, how to stay safe, how to photograph wildlife responsibly, and where to report safety concerns.

Wildlife Safety

See Jasper wildlife the right way.

Jasper is home to bears, elk, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, coyotes, cougars, birds, and many smaller animals. Seeing wildlife is exciting, but animals need space and visitors are responsible for safe behaviour.

Trail Conditions icon

Keep proper distance

Use a telephoto lens or binoculars. Never move closer for a selfie, never surround wildlife, and never put children near animals for photos.

Bear Spray icon

Never feed wildlife

Feeding or baiting animals is dangerous and can cause animals to lose their natural fear of people.

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Prevent wildlife jams

If watching from the road, stay in your vehicle when possible, pull fully off only where safe/legal, and leave room for traffic and emergency vehicles.

Important: For safety-sensitive situations, aggressive wildlife, injured/dead animals, carcasses, or unsafe human-wildlife interactions, use official Parks Canada reporting and emergency guidance. This website is not an emergency service.
Animal Guides

Animals you may see in Jasper.

Each guide includes basic behaviour, diet, where animals are commonly seen, safety notes, and photo tips.

🦌

Elk

Common around town and open valleys; extra caution in May–June calving and Aug–Sept rut

Distance: 30 m minimumPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Elk
🫎

Moose

Wetlands, willow areas, lake edges, and quiet forest edges

Distance: 30 m minimumPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Moose
🐏

Bighorn Sheep

Rocky slopes, roadside mineral licks, and open mountain terrain

Distance: 30 m minimumPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Bighorn Sheep
🐺

Wolves & Coyotes

Valleys, forests, roadsides, and open areas, often seen at a distance

Distance: 100 m recommended for predatorsPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Wolves & Coyotes
🐈

Cougars

Rarely seen; forested edges, rocky areas, and deer habitat

Distance: 100 m recommended for predatorsPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Cougars
🦅

Birds of Jasper

Lakes, wetlands, forests, alpine areas, and town edges

Distance: Respect nesting areasPhoto: zoom lens
Learn about Birds of Jasper
Responsible reporting

Do not publish exact wildlife locations.

Real-time pins can create crowds, traffic hazards and pressure on animals. Jasper Journeys intentionally does not collect or display public wildlife sightings.

What visitors should do

  • Observe from the legal minimum distance with binoculars or a zoom lens.
  • Stay in your vehicle when wildlife is beside a road and keep traffic moving.
  • Never reveal dens, nests, carcasses or animals with young on social media.
  • Leave immediately if your presence changes an animal’s behaviour.

Report urgent concerns officially

Report aggressive, injured or dead wildlife, unsafe crowding, feeding or other serious human-wildlife conflicts through Parks Canada’s current Jasper contact guidance. Call 911 for an immediate emergency.

Open Parks Canada wildlife safety

Official Links

Parks Canada wildlife resources.

Use official sources for current rules and safety information.

Jasper Journeys tip

Enjoy wildlife moments safely and respectfully

Learn where wildlife may be present, how to keep distance, and why broad zones are safer than exact real-time pins.

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