As winter segues into spring and summer, Canada’s fascinating wildlife comes out to play, as Katrina Lobley writes.
As Canada’s snow melts away, it’s not only humans who emerge from hibernation. The country’s famous wildlife is also out and about. Grizzly and black bears start foraging on new spring growth to build up the fat layers they’ll need when their next winter hiatus comes around. The bears might also raid a few squirrels’ nut stashes as they wait for summer berries to ripen on bushes.
Grouse Mountain, which forms a majestic backdrop to the city, features a wildlife refuge with two famous residents. Grinder is the refuge’s alpha grizzly – he was found wandering along a logging road in 2001 in such poor condition that he was no heavier than a cat. Easy going Coola was orphaned when his mother was hit by a truck that same year. Throughout summer, visitors can ascend Grouse Mountain early to breakfast with these bears. The human menu includes favourite bear fare such as salmon, along with bear claws (the pastry, not actual bear claws).
Perhaps the cutest specimen in this area, though, is the sea otter, which eats, bathes and sleeps while floating on its back. Glacier Bay’s sea otter population has rebounded from zero to almost 9000 over the past two decades. You can hear the call of the wild – and more – on your next Canada and Alaska adventure such as our Rockies and Alaskan Adventure.
Calgary to Vancouver
Victoria to Vancouver
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Victoria to Vancouver
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Calgary to Vancouver
Victoria to Vancouver
Vancouver to Fairbanks
Victoria to Vancouver
Vancouver Return