Cougar spotted in Rocky Ridge early Friday morning near homes
Alberta Fish and Wildlife received multiple reports of the big cat in the northwest neighbourhood around 1:45 a.m. Residents advised to secure small pets.
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A cougar sauntered across a Calgary street early Friday morning, marking a rare sighting in a neighbourhood mostly home to coyotes and bobcats.
Ashley Leung spotted the big cat crossing Rocky Ridge Green N.W. around 1:45 a.m. Friday as she and her boyfriend returned from the airport. They photographed the animal from their vehicle as it settled between two homes.
"We were pretty okay with it, we were in a car and I thought it was cute," said Leung. "It was sitting there like a house cat when they tuck their feet in."
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials said they received a number of reports of cougar sightings in the neighbourhood early Friday morning, including one from a person arriving home from the Stampede grounds. Wildlife experts say cougars are attracted by small pets but are generally afraid of humans.
Neighbourhood residents voiced concern online about the danger to pets. One resident posted: "Watch your pups. This thing will have little to no deterrent if it feels like grabbing your smaller dog from you whilst still on leash and there will be nothing you can do about it."
Leung said the sighting surprised her, though the area bordered by aspen woodlands and natural ponds has seen other wildlife including bobcats, coyotes, and even moose. "I've never seen a cougar around here before," she said.
Anyone encountering a cougar is advised to make noise and make themselves appear as large as possible. In May 2025, Fish and Wildlife issued a warning following repeated cougar sightings in the subdivision of Harmony just west of the city.
