I still have vivid memories of reporting on Calgary’s first coyote management strategy back in 2018. But yesterday’s bobcat attack in the southeast takes our urban wildlife encounters to an entirely different level.
Walking through Sundance yesterday evening should have been routine for local resident Marjorie Fleming. Instead, the 62-year-old ended up in hospital after a bobcat attacked her while she walked her Border Collie, Max.
“It came out of nowhere, absolutely nowhere,” Fleming told me when I visited her at Rockyview General Hospital this morning. “One minute I’m walking Max along the pathway near the ravine, the next I’m on the ground with this… creature… on top of me. Very, very scary doesn’t begin to describe it.”
Fleming suffered significant lacerations to her arms and neck, requiring 36 stitches. Her dog escaped with minor injuries after attempting to defend her.
This marks the third reported bobcat encounter in Calgary’s southeast communities this month, but the first resulting in serious injury. Fish and Wildlife officers have increased patrols in the area and are working to locate and relocate the animal.
Calgary’s rapid expansion into previously undeveloped areas has created these friction points between wildlife and residents. Dr. Elena Navas, urban wildlife ecologist at Mount Royal University, explains why these encounters are becoming more common.
“What we’re seeing across Calgary is habitat compression,” Navas said. “Development pushes wildlife into smaller pockets of natural space, increasing the likelihood of these unexpected interactions.”
The timing isn’t coincidental. June is when bobcat mothers are actively hunting to feed growing kittens. City officials believe the animal may have been protecting nearby young or simply responding to the presence of Fleming’s dog.
Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Trevor Davidson confirmed they’re taking this incident seriously. “This is unusual behavior for bobcats, which typically avoid human contact. We’ve set humane traps in the area and are asking residents to remain vigilant, especially during dawn and dusk hours.”
Residents in Sundance, Chaparral, and Midnapore are advised to keep pets leashed, avoid walking near ravines during early morning or evening hours, and carry noise-making devices.
Local councilor Kourtney Branagan expressed concern about the incident but cautioned against overreaction. “We share this landscape with wildlife. While this incident is certainly frightening, it’s important we respond appropriately without creating unnecessary fear.”
For Fleming, who has lived in Sundance for over two decades, the encounter has changed her perspective. “I’ve seen bobcats from a distance before and always thought they were beautiful. But now? I’ll be taking the long way around that ravine for quite some time.”
Calgary Animal Services has recorded 23 bobcat sightings in southeast communities since May, significantly higher than the 14 reported during the same period last year.
Dr. Gordon Court, provincial wildlife specialist, reminds Calgarians that bobcat attacks remain extremely rare. “These animals aren’t looking to target humans. This was likely a defensive response in a situation where the animal felt threatened.”
As someone who’s covered Calgary’s urban wildlife issues for nearly a decade, I’ve noticed how our perception of sharing space with wildlife continues to evolve. When I first started reporting here, coyotes dominated the conversation. Now, our wildlife management challenges have become more complex as various species adapt to our expanding urban footprint.
If you encounter a bobcat, experts recommend making yourself appear larger, making loud noises, and backing away slowly without turning your back. All sightings should be reported to the provincial Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
For Fleming, recovery will take time, but she maintains a remarkably balanced perspective. “I don’t blame the animal. We’re in their territory as much as they’re in ours. I just wish we’d had a bit more warning about increased activity in the area.”
As our city continues pushing its boundaries outward, these wildlife interactions will likely increase. The challenge for Calgary remains finding that delicate balance between development and preservation that allows both human and animal residents to coexist safely.
