Wildlife flight guidelines

Banff National Park is home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and other wildlife which occupy treeless, alpine terrain and are known to flee from low flying aircraft, including Unmanned Air Vehicles (drones). Many in-park, low flying flights occur over alpine areas which can disturb all wildlife, especially mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Prolonged or repeated helicopter presence may displace wildlife from important habitat, elevate stress levels, reduce time spent feeding, nursing, and resting, and can increase risk of mortality. Helicopter flights have stronger effects in the spring when lambs and kids are born, and in the winter when food ability is decreased and travel is more difficult. 

Mountain goats live in or near steep, rocky terrain which they use to escape predators. They are sensitive to low flying aircraft and will flee by scaling sheer cliffs.

Bighorn sheep prefer steep-sided gravel ridges and steep grassy slopes. They escape predators by running quickly along steep terrain for long distances. 

The best goat habitat occurs where steep cliffs meet open vegetated slopes

Following these flight guidelines will help minimize wildlife disturbances. 

Reminders:

• All flights landing within Banff National Park require advanced approval from the Superintendent.
• Recreational drone use is prohibited and commercial drone use requires a Restricted Activity Permit approved by the Superintendent.
• All commercial filming and photography require a Parks Canada permit