Town of Diamond Valley shares tips for living with wildlife

Animals are becoming part of everyday life in Diamond Valley.

In response to the amount of wildlife residents encounter, the Town of Diamond Valley has shared a guide on coexisting with animals.

The wildlife guide has sections on deer, bears, cougars and bobcats, and other small animals.

Deer, one of the most common wild animals in Diamond Valley, have been a controversial issue for many residents.

The guide emphasizes that people should not feed deer or other wildlife, which is prohibited by a Town bylaw.

People feeding deer has been an ongoing issue in Diamond Valley and Okotoks.

The guide also notes that homeowners should make sure to keep bird feeders, a grey area in the wildlife feeding bylaw, away from deer.

To keep deer out of lawns and gardens, the guide recommends solutions such as deer-resistant landscaping, utilizing gravel as a deterrent, high fencing, cages for plants and deer repellent.

The guide notes that deer can be dangerous, especially when they feel unsafe or when their young are involved, and that people should exercise caution around them. 

For bears, the guide highlighted the importance of preventing access to food sources such as open garbage cans and fruit trees, as the prospect of easy food is what typically leads bears to urban areas.

The guide also emphasizes safety techniques such as making noise while hiking and installing motion sensor lights to deter bears.

Cougar sightings are rare, but typically a big deal when they do happen in Diamond Valley, so the guide recommends similar safety strategies to those for bears while emphasizing that people keep their children and pets under control.

The 'smaller wild animals' section encompasses coyotes, foxes, skunks, raccoons and squirrels.

The same tips about food, not feeding wildlife and keeping them away from potential food sources, all apply to these animals. For potentially dangerous animals like coyotes and foxes, residents are asked to report unusual or aggressive behaviour.

The wildlife guide is available on the Town of Diamond Valley website.