Encountering wildlife: keep your distance and respond calmly

Avoid approaching or feeding an animal, give it an escape route and use species-specific official guidance for the situation.

Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.

Wild animals are not predictable attractions. Their response depends on species, season, young, food, distance and whether they feel trapped. The safest default is to keep your distance and let the animal move away.

During an encounter

• Do not approach, surround, feed, touch or attempt to photograph an animal at close range.
• Keep children and pets close; leash dogs where required and never allow a dog to chase wildlife.
• Stay calm, speak normally and leave an unobstructed route for the animal to retreat.
• Do not run toward or past an animal. Back away slowly while keeping a safe distance.
• Follow species-specific guidance for bears, coyotes, moose, rabies-risk animals or marine mammals; one response does not fit every species.
• If an animal is injured, behaving unusually or creating immediate danger, contact the responsible wildlife authority or emergency service.

Store food and garbage securely at campsites and around homes. Repeated feeding can habituate wildlife and increase conflict. Report an encounter with location, time and observed behaviour; do not post an exact den or nest location publicly.

Sources and limits

Follow current species-specific instructions and local park rules; call emergency services for an immediate threat.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.