Visitors
to British Columbia appreciate the diversity of wildlife found in the
forests, coastal regions, and wilderness waterways of Canada's western
most provinces. There are several types of Bears that you can see when
visiting British Columbia.
Black Bears
inhabit heavily forested areas, dense bush and wooded mountains throughout
most of British Columbia. They tend to wander a great distance, some male
adults having lifetime ranges of 500 to 620 square miles. On Gribble Island
and the neighboring mainland of British Columbia individuals are nearly
white.
The Kermode
Bear, or "Spirit Bear", lives in the central coast of British
Columbia, and is a unique subspecies of the North American black bear.
Approximately one in every 10 bears is white or cream-coloured. Because
of their ghost-like appearance, "spirit bears" hold an important
place with Canada's First Nations people in the area.
Grizzly Bears
inhabit most of the province except Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.
Nearly half of Canada's grizzly population - about 13 000 - live here.
They prefer semi-open country usually in mountainous areas such as the
Cariboo and Chilcotin, the West Coast including the Haida Gwaii (Queen
Charlottes) Northern BC, and the Great Bear Rainforest.
The Great
Bear Forest is a region with grizzly bears, black bears, and the mysterious
Kermode bear, a white variety of the black bear that is rarely seen, but
often sought. This coastal area is located between Butte Inlet on the
South Coast of BC … and then North to the Alaskan border. The Great
Bear Rainforest is more diverse than most forests and ecosystems in the
world.
On your
Bear Watching experience in the BC's wilderness, please remember, these
are wild animals and you should observe all appropriate safety precautions.
It's always a good idea to hire the services of a professional guide or
participate in an organized, professionally licensed wilderness tour or
wildlife expedition when considering your Bear Watching experience in
British Columbia.
Bear
Watching in British Columbia, Canada
Grizzly Bears & Black Bears
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Chilcotin Holidays Ltd: Wilderness guest ranch and backcountry adventures in BC’s true wilderness. Enjoy horseback riding, guided multi-day hiking trip or wilderness trekking, wildlife viewing, fishing and more. more
Vancouver Island
Spirit of the West Adventures: We offer sea kayaking tours to the Johnstone Strait & the largest pods of killer whales on the BC coast – Desolation Sound, Quadra Island, & Campbell River - & guided excursions to explore ancient native villages. Set a course for a one of a kind wilderness... more
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Chilcotin Holidays Ltd: Wilderness guest ranch and backcountry adventures in BC’s true wilderness. Enjoy horseback riding, guided multi-day hiking trip or wilderness trekking, wildlife viewing, fishing and more. more
