Its vast terrain, including snow-capped mountains and arctic tundra, temperate rainforests, and rolling plains, makes it the second-largest country in the world. Three oceans also border the country. Its 47 national parks and more than 151,000 miles of coastline. And numerous lakes and reserves make Canada an incredible place to watch wildlife. A grizzly bear encounter, a killer whale encounter, a moose encounter, or a polar bear encounter are among the opportunities for animal-related adventures. Explore Canada’s breathtaking wildlife with our guide.
The great bear rainforest, British Columbia
A glacial fjord, ancient cedars, and the elusive spirit bear can be found in the vast Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. 6.4 million hectares of coastal temperate rainforest cover British Columbia’s Pacific Coast, which is the largest in the world. Bears such as grizzly bears, black bears, and the enigmatic Kermode bear, also known as the Spirit bear, can be found in the Great Bear Rainforest. In September and October, it is easiest to see this endangered subspecies of American black bear. A distinctive feature of their coats is their cream color. It’s a great place for wildlife viewing since salmon, wolves, and cougars thrive here.
Northwest Passage, Nunavut
Arctic Big Five animal species live along the historic and iconic Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They include polar bears, walruses, musk oxen, beluga whales, and the elusive narwhal. A large population of polar bears congregates in the Northwest Passage during the summer when the ice begins to break, making it easier for them to pursue prey. On the tundra, musk ox typically lives in small family groups. And walrus typically feed on prawns and crabs on frozen ice clusters. For the best chances of seeing a narwhal, head to Baffin Island or Lancaster Sound. It is one of the toughest of all the Big Five to spot. In Nunavut, you can observe more than just seals and arctic foxes along the Northwest Passage. You can also see reindeer, caribou, lemmings, and a variety of birds. Additionally, there is the Arctic Big Five.
Canada’s breathtaking wildlife – Churchill, Manitoba
The polar bear capital of the world is Churchill, a small village on Hudson Bay in far northern Manitoba. Their height can reach three meters, and their weight can reach 700 kilograms, making them one of the largest bear species. During the autumn polar bear migration to the shore, visitors have the opportunity to interact directly with these formidable animals. On a tundra vehicle tour through the snowy and ice-covered landscape of Hudson Bay, you can observe bears congregating along its shores. During the summer, Beluga whales can be seen in the Churchill River after the ice melts. Known for their distinctive whistles and underwater chirping, sea canaries are a delightful sight to see in a kayak or boat. Northern Lights can be seen no better in Churchill than anywhere else in the world.
Banff National Park, Alberta
One of the most visited places in the continent is Banff National Park, the first national park in Canada. There are many animals in Banff National Park, including the famous Lake Louise, which is home to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, moose, and caribou can all freely roam the park’s alpine forest and tundra habitat. You will have the best chance of seeing a grizzly bear if you drive to the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkway. A Caribou and moose can often be seen munching on the rolling plains of Fairview and the Plain of Six Glaciers, while mountain goats and bighorn sheep roam the Plain of Six Glaciers.
Canada’s breathtaking wildlife – Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
It is in Algonquin Provincial Park in south-eastern Ontario that you can find one of Canada’s largest mammals, the elusive Algonquin moose. In this park, you can see sparkling lakes, maple hills, and rocky slopes. Aside from white-tailed deer, the Highway 60 corridor offers excellent viewing opportunities for moose. But it can be challenging to catch a glimpse of one in its natural habitat. Before sunrise, paddle a boat on a desolate lake. How about a leisurely walk through undulating hills in the early morning? You can also observe wolves, chipmunks, and black bears in the park. And the Beaver Pond Trail provides fantastic views of two sizable beaver ponds.
Sidney, British Columbia
The Saanich Peninsula of British Columbia is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, with Sidney being one of the most popular spots. As Sidney is located on the Salish Sea. It is frequently visited by killer whales breaching from its waterfront, which is in the Salish Sea. The town offers a variety of whale-watching boat tours, all of which provide exceptional odds of observing whales in the wild. So you can more reliably catch a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures. The waterfront of Sidney is known to be a habitat for seals, porpoises, and river otters. From here, you can kayak along the waterways and observe birds at the southern Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Canada’s breathtaking wildlife – Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
It was first established in 1927 and is located in central Saskatchewan, surrounded by boreal forest, grasslands, and flowing waterways. Free-ranging bison live side by side with wolves, elk, and bears in the park. A huge herd of bison roams free within the park, which provides them with protection and maintenance. Sturgeon River’s banks are frequently populated with them. As well as its abundance of lakes, including Waskesiu, Kingsmere, and Crean Lake, Prince Albert National Park is home to 195 different species of birds. Even though the park sees a lot of visitors in the summer, autumn is a much more serene and beautiful season to visit, when the number of visitors drops sharply, and the park begins to change color.
Elk Island National Park, Alberta
Edmonton is about 35 miles away from Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada. Known for its role in conserving and reintroducing American bison, it is an important preserve. Visitors to Elk Island Park can participate in guided tours to learn how the island has aided in bringing the bison back from extinction. It is also a unique place to witness a ‘bison traffic jam’ from within your car, where you may find yourself stuck in the middle of a herd. Getting so close to these prehistoric behemoths is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Among the many wildlife species that enthusiasts can observe are elks, deer, moose, and more than 250 species of birds. For a night of camping in Elk Island National Park, you won’t be disappointed. Spend the day soaking up the sun, strolling through the park, and kayaking.
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec
As a result of the Saint Lawrence River and Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Quebec, the North American Great Lakes discharged into the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the nutrient-rich streams and rivers that carry silt from the interior lakes, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence is one of the world’s largest estuaries. Up to 13 species of cetaceans, including minke, beluga, sperm, and the enormous blue whale. It can be found in the waters of Saint Lawrence from May to October. Beautiful humpback whales can also be spotted in the Saguenay Fjord as they come up to the river mouth to feed.
