A coyote warning is in effect for parts of the Banff townsite after multiple reports of aggressive behavior, Parks Canada announced on May 30, 2026. The warning applies to Bow Falls Trail, Glen Avenue, Glen Crescent, and Spray Avenue, and will remain in place until further notice.
Parks Canada says the coyotes have been showing bold and defensive actions, and urges anyone in the area to stay alert, keep all pets on a leash and under physical control, and give the animals plenty of space. Aggressive coyote sightings or encounters should be reported as soon as possible to Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.
The current warning echoes a similar situation in spring 2018, when a coyote denned under a deck on Glen Avenue and bit several dogs while protecting her pups. That incident led to a warning covering some of the same streets now under the new alert, including Glen Avenue and Spray Avenue. Spring is a time when coyotes are denning and can become defensive, making close encounters more likely.
Blair Fyten, human-wildlife coexistence specialist for Banff National Park, noted in 2020 that residents and visitors were reporting more frequent close approaches by groups of coyotes in the townsite. Although the animals have not always been highly aggressive, the pattern has raised concerns for public and pet safety.
The warning arrives as Banff National Park is already dealing with multiple trail closures due to high water and fast currents from spring melt. Marsh Loop Trail, parts of the Cave and Basin boardwalk, low-lying trails near the Bow River, and areas near the Fenland and Pipestone River are all closed, adding to the challenges for people trying to enjoy the park.
Banff has a long-standing Human-Wildlife Coexistence Roundtable that brings together Parks Canada, the Town of Banff, and the Government of Alberta to manage encounters like these. Residents and visitors are asked to follow all posted warnings and call Banff Dispatch immediately if they see a coyote acting aggressively.
