BACKGROUND - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 507

Once the target of a relentless campaign to exterminate the species, the wolf has made
an incredible comeback in the Canadian Rockies; today about 120 wolves roam the region.
Cougars
Rarely encountered by casual hikers, cougars (known in other parts of North America as
mountain lions, pumas, or catamounts) measure up to 1.5 meters (five feet) long. The av-
erage male weighs 75 kilograms (165 pounds) and the female 40-55 kilograms (90-120
pounds). Cougars are versatile hunters whose acute vision takes in a peripheral span in
excess of 200 degrees. They typically kill a large mammal such as an elk or deer every
12-14 days, eating part of it and caching the rest. Their diet also includes chipmunks,
ground squirrels, snowshoe hares, and occasionally porcupines. Their athletic prowess
puts Olympians to shame. They can spring forward more than 8 meters (26 feet) from a
standstill, leap 4 meters (13 feet) into the air, and safely jump from a height of 20 meters
(65 feet).
The cougar is a solitary animal with distinct territorial boundaries. This limits its pop-
ulation density, which in turn means that its overall numbers are low. They are most com-
mon in the foothills along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies.
Lynx
The elusive lynx is identifiable by its pointy black ear tufts and an oversized tabby cat ap-
pearance. The animal has broad, padded paws that distribute its weight, allowing it to float
on the surface of snow. It weighs up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) but appears much larger
because of its coat of long, thick fur. The lynx, uncommon but widespread throughout the
region, is a solitary creature that prefers the cover of subalpine forests, feeding mostly at
night on snowshoe hares and other small mammals.
OTHER LARGE MAMMALS
Mountain Goats
The remarkable rock-climbing ability of these nimble-footed creatures allows them to live
on rocky ledges or near-vertical slopes, safe from predators. They also frequent the alpine
meadows and open forests of the Canadian Rockies, where they congregate around natural
salt licks. The goats stand one meter (3.2 feet) at the shoulder and weigh 65-130 kilograms
(140-290 pounds). Both sexes possess a peculiar beard, or rather, goatee. Both sexes have
horns. It is possible to determine the sex by the shape of the horns; those of the female
grow straight up before curling slightly backward, whereas those of the male curl back in