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If encountering wildlife indigenous to new geographical regions is among the highlights of travel for an individual, planning a trip to the majestic Canadian Rockies is highly recommended.”
Observing wildlife in the Canadian Rockies is straightforward. We simply need to be aware of which species inhabit the area, where they reside and when they tend to be most energetic.
In this article, we will provide you with all the information needed to ensure your trip to Canada feels like a genuine wildlife expedition.
We will also tell you how to protect wildlife native to the Canadian Rockies and keep yourself safe, while they remain in their natural habitat.
The primary consideration is securing the optimal travel protection available due to the fact that while numerous creatures found in Canada may appear harmless, others are not as benign and we must exercise the utmost caution. Here is a review of the best travel insurance for Canada. My top choice is Heymondo.
If you plan to travel extensively across Canada, check out the top long-duration travel insurance providers.
Table of Contents
CANADIAN ROCKIES WILDLIFE
During your excursion to the Canadian Rockies, differing landscapes will emerge: lofty peaks cloaked in snow, glaciers, valleys containing colored lakes, canyons, and waterfalls.
As a result, the animals you might see will depend on your location in the Canadian Rockies.
GRIZZLY BEARS
If there is one creature that everyone who travels to the Canadian Rockies hopes to see, it’s the grizzly bear. There exist just a handful of spots inhabited by grizzlies around the world, and one of them is the Canadian Rockies, where this species is seriously endangered.
A portion, 15 percent, of a grizzly bear`s diet originates from meat as they prey on moose, deer, goats and even other black bears…and of course fish. An adult male grizzly bear can reach a height of one hundred inches standing and weigh up to twelve hundred pounds.
The sole risk-free method to view this animal is from a vehicle. Encounters during hiking excursions can end tragically. Some campsites located in regions frequented by grizzly bears are surrounded by electrified fences to prevent encounters and potential grizzly attacks.
WHERE TO SEE GRIZZLY BEARS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
There are only approximately 200 Grizzly bears inhabiting the Canadian Rockies, distributed as follows:
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- Kootenay National Park: 9-16
We only spotted grizzly bears in Banff National Park`s Lake Louise region and around Bow Lake.
BLACK BEARS
We can observe the species known as black bears in the Canadian Rockies region as well. They make up the most abundant type of bear found across the planet. Even with the name, black bears can have fur that varies in shade from light brown to very dark black, but you must be careful not to confuse them with grizzly bears. While the black bear is usually much smaller (maximum 550 pounds) than the grizzly bear, size alone should not be employed to determine the species of any bear sighted.
While black bears will not usually seek out large prey, they are still omnivorous in their dietary habits, feeding on items like insects, fish, and various plant matters. However, their flexible diet can make them risky at times. Black bears have been known to attack humans on occasion, even with sometimes lethal outcomes. Most such assaults tend to happen when a female bear with young cubs feels threatened by a surprising encounter, implying that the majority of attacks serve a defensive purpose instead of being predatory in nature.
Similar to bears, it’s preferable to observe this species from the safety of our vehicle.
WHERE TO SEE BLACK BEARS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Dark bears are quite abundant throughout the Canadian Rockies, so you will be able to see them easily, especially in Jasper National Park, as they favor green meadows to high mountains.
We saw black bears in the Pyramid Lake, Maligne Road, and Miette Hot Springs areas.
Black bears are most active prior to and following sunset, so the optimum method to find them is by driving down roadways like the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Road prior to nightfall.
In this article, people are told how to tell apart grizzly bears from black bears and, most significantly, how to prevent meetings and survive a bear confrontation.
MOOSE
Looking at the list of animals to view in the Canadian Rockies, the moose is one of my favorites. You can’t imagine the size of this creature until seeing one with your own eyes.
Elk are notably large, standing as tall as 80 inches without their antlers factored in. Their branched antlers can span distances of up to 130 inches from tip to tip. These antlers develop on the adult males during summer months. By the time fall arrives, the male elk have lost these antlers. If traveling to the Canadian Rockies in spring, as was our experience, it`s possible to still see some adult males with shorter, less developed antlers remaining.
Despite their calm and harmless outward appearance, the national park rangers forewarned us that moose endanger others more than any other creature roaming the Canadian Rockies, including bears.
If a female moose is accompanied by her calves, an encounter will likely culminate in an abrupt ambush. Unlike other deer species, moose are rarely perturbed, but should they feel threatened they will not hesitate to charge and bearing in mind they can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, they can be extremely perilous. Similar to the other wildlife of the Canadian Rockies already stated, the safest way to observe this animal is from your car.
WHERE TO SEE MOOSE IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
As we’ve mentioned above, one of the best, inexpensive ways to book flights is by using Hopper, an app that will help you determine precisely the right time to purchase your tickets.
It was difficult for us to see moose, though two of the three moose we did see were on Maligne Road.
The only way to arrive there is by ferry from Lanzarote. The trip only requires 30 minutes.
WOLVES
One of the most challenging animals to observe in the Canadian Rockies is the wolf. We were fortunate enough to see a wolf at the end of May on the Maligne Road in Jasper National Park. However, the last sighting that the visitor center had registered was in March.
WHERE TO SEE WOLVES IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
While the wolf numbers around Jasper continue growing currently, they went extinct in Banff National Park and are presently being reestablished, with about 40 wolves that spend some time there annually.
The likelihood of encountering an untamed wolf in the mountain ranges of Canada is quite slim, especially since during warmer months, the wolves travel away from populated regions. In winter it is simpler to see them at lower elevations, so you could cross paths with some along the sides of roadways.
Remember that they are nocturnal animals, so it`s more probable that you find them when driving on roads like Maligne Road after sunset.
WAPITI OR ELK
The wapiti is the biggest species of deer, only surpassed by moose. It is common on the West Coast of North America and is the most plentiful deer in the Canadian Rockies. We certainly couldn`t exclude it from our list of animals to see in the Canadian Rockies.
The elk can reach up to 94 inches in height and weigh 800 pounds. Given its large size, caution should be exercised around the elk, particularly during two key periods of the year: in spring throughout the calving season (May – June), when female elk care for their new offspring, and in fall during the rutting season (September – October), when male elk seeking to mate become highly aggressive in the process.
Within this Canada Parks guide, they elucidate the security measures that you should undertake during these periods.
MULE DEER
Cervus canadensis are also readily seen in valleys such as the Bow Valley Parkway or on Maligne Road.
They are characterized by being on the smaller side and having long ears, grayish fur, and a dark spot at the tip of the tail.
They are usually quite frightened, but as with any wild creature, it is best to look at it from a distance.
WHITE-TAILED DEER
The white-tailed deer is fairly comparable to the mule deer in regards to form and size.
The best way to tell the difference between these two species is by examining the ears, which are smaller on the white-tailed deer than the mule deer, and especially the tail. The white-tailed deer lifts its tail when it feels threatened and never has a black spot on the tip.
Similar to the mule deer, the easiest locale to find it is in the lower reaches of valleys, such as Bow Valley Parkway or Maligne Road. However, numbers of this species are lower.
MOUNTAIN GOATS
Mountain goats are the most difficult animals to photograph in the Canadian Rockies. This ruminant has long white fur, a goatee and two thin black horns that curve posteriorly.
They reside at a quite lofty elevation at the top of mountains, so noticing them is rather challenging. We could see them at a point indicated below on the map; it’s known as the “goat lookout” and is in the center of the Icefields Parkway.
As evident in the photo, the image quality is somewhat poor as the goats were very far from the road. If we have any regrets from our trip, it was not having a lens of high quality. We really missed many photographic opportunities, especially for photographing wildlife in the Canadian Rockies.
Additionally, once home, we realized a quality telephoto lens could have rented for $100.
If you find yourself in the United States of America, Lensrental is considered the top company for leasing your camera equipment. You can check out the best camera rental businesses in each country here. Booking Lensrental through this link will provide you with a 15% discount.
You can also find our review on Lensrentalshere.
Bighorn sheep
Bighorn sheep inhabit mountainous regions commonly, although they can also be found in lower elevations. After elk, they represent the second most abundant ungulate species in the Canadian Rockies, so they will not be difficult to observe.
These mountain residents appear in a brown coloring, with a white patch on their rear and hair along the backs of their legs. Males can be identified by their notably curved horns directed rearwards, while the horns of females are slim and abbreviated.
We saw them on the Icefields Parkway, on Abraham Lake, and on Maligne Road. Although at first glance they may seem peaceful or easily frightened, like any wild animal, if they feel threatened, they will charge and attack.
BALD EAGLE
The bald eagle is one of the most significant raptors found on the West Coast of Canada. This majestic bird of prey is notable for the white head sported by all adult specimens.
In Jasper National Park we were able to see the national bird symbol of the United States twice.
To spot them, one must look closely at the sky or a lagoon where they could be fishing. We saw one in the Edith Lake area and another one on the Maligne Road in Jasper National Park.
porcupine
The porcupine is another creature you can see in the Canadian Rockies. This rodent covered with approximately 30,000 quills usually inhabits forests and weighs around 11 pounds.
We spotted one in the Lake Louise area of Banff National Park and as we approached, it raised its quills as a warning sign.
Beavers
Since they are a symbol of Canada, we couldn`t leave the Rocky Mountains without seeing beavers. This rodent with a flat, scaly tail spends much of its time in the water, so the simplest way to see them is while they swim. Beavers are recognized to form woody dams in rivers and streams, so in some areas of Canada, they have unfortunately been hunted down to near extinction because they changed river flows, damaging the activities of humans.
Locating one was highly difficult since it is a nocturnal creature. Our only opportunity was at dusk in the Cottonwood Slough near Jasper.
Squirrels
The simplest animals to see in the Canadian Rockies are squirrels. We saw two distinct species, the reddish squirrel with abundant fur on its tail, and the black and white striped least chipmunk on its back
It may seem peculiar, but the lone wildlife confrontation we witnessed in the Canadian Rockies involved a squirrel nibbling on a tourist`s finger as he tried offering it food. His digit bled profusely for over an hour.
Feeding wild animals in the Canada National Parks is illegal, dangerous, and has a very deleterious impact on wildlife.
Columbia ground squirrel
The Columbia ground squirrel can be found living in many colonies throughout meadows in the region.
We spotted them in large numbers at the Kicking Horse Campground in Yoho National Park and the Wapiti Campground in Jasper National Park. They resemble a typical squirrel except that they have a slender tail and do not ascend trees. They look like miniature marmots.
OTHER ANIMALS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
In addition to the animals mentioned above, there are other spectacular animals that we were unable to see during our trip.
If luck allows seeing any of the wildlife on this list, do not wait to contact us and provide a photo; we will add it to this guide on viewing fauna in the Canadian Rockies.
COYOTE
The coyote looks like a medium-sized canine. It has a thick tail, and its fur has a grayish-brown color.
It is a nocturnal animal that usually lives in packs. Although an individual on its own may seem harmless, in a pack, they can become dangerous.
We were told that there are many in the Vermilion Lakes and Bow Valley Parkway areas, although we did not see any.
COUGAR
The cougar or mountain lion is the biggest of the felines living in the Canadian Rockies (and the largest cat capable of purring in the world). They are found throughout the Americas, although their numbers have been reduced due to human activities.
While encountering a cougar is unlikely as they are nocturnal animals dwelling in high mountains, you should recognize the possibility exists and that maintaining eye contact enables you to safely get away from them if you meet them.
Mountain lions generally keep their distance from humans, but attacks on people have occurred before.
In the Canadian Rockies, the population of cougars is less than 100, of which about 70 live in Jasper National Park.
LYNX
The other feline that inhabits the Canadian Rockies is the lynx. It is seldom seen as they have nocturnal habits.
There is no estimate of how many lynxes live in the Rockies.
WOLVERINE
Wolverine is the largest of the weasel family and weighs up to 40 pounds. This animal is in danger of extinction, so it is extremely uncommon to spot one.
They consume everything from plant life to elk or wapitis. However, they are opportunistic eaters and tend to feed on what is near and accessible. Sometimes they acquire corpses from other predators. They display a highly aggressive character, so they can even scare bears away. Additionally, just as skunks do, they possess glands next to the anus that permit them to spread their food with musk to keep other animals away and consume them later.
CARIBOU
Another animal at risk of extinction in the Rocky Mountains of Canada is the caribou. This deer is similar in size to an elk but with paler fur. It is also distinctive because both females and males have antlers with an unusual shape.
Nowadays, there are only about 150 grizzly bears remaining in the Canadian Rockies, although sightings are quite difficult during summer months as they tend to retreat to higher elevations away from human presence.
In winter and with some luck, you can see them along the Maligne Road and the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park under the right conditions.
HOW TO AVOID ENCOUNTERS WITH WILD ANIMALS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
We realize that all of us here take pleasure in watching wildlife. However, not all encounters are a positive experience.
For instance, if hiking in a remote area and suddenly encountering a cougar or bear with their cubs, it might end up being your worst nightmare.
Follow these tips to avoid encounters with wild animals:
- When hiking, produce noise. Alert wildlife to your approach before they can see you. There is nothing more hazardous than an animal taken by surprise. Sing, speak loudly, etc. Bear bells, though very popular, are ineffective.
- Be cognizant of indications of recent wildlife activity. If you find deposits, broken trunks, excavations or tracks that seem fresh, exit the region.
- Try to walk in groups consisting of four or more individuals. Never let children or pets out of your sight.
- If you encounter a large deceased animal (deer, elk, bear, etc.) promptly exit the location. A predator is likely nearby.
- Store provisions suitably. Strive to reduce carried foodstuffs as much as feasible when trekking. Take only a snack if truly essential. Similarly, when camping, never place food inside shelters if hoping to avoid unexpected visitors at night. Vittles should always be secured in vehicles or, preferably, in food lockers.
- Avoid nighttime or low visibility hikes. Also, if you decide to run or cycle along the park routes, keep in mind that you increase the chance of surprising any animals you encounter on the roadway.
HOW TO ACT DURING WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
However, even if you follow all the guidelines above, you may still have a wildlife encounter on your trip to the Canadian Rockies. Here are some tips to follow during encounters that will keep both you and the animals safe.
- Never provide nourishment to a wild creature. An animal accustomed to humans is a dead animal. Keep wildlife in their natural state. Additionally, carry your trash with you, so it is not accessible to wildlife. Failing to do so is another way to feed them.
Bears, cougars, coyotes or wolves that typically come into inhabited regions or campsites searching for nourishment are killed by park rangers as they are deemed dangerous to people. If you don’t want that, stay away from giving wild creatures access to human food.
- Never approach any animal and if an animal initiates contact, move away quickly. Always maintain a safe separation. It is advisable to leave a 100 foot security perimeter for deer-like animals such as wapitis, moose and elk as well as goats, and a distance of no less than 300 feet for bears, cougars and wolves.
- Do not corner the animal. Always leave an escape route. An animal that feels trapped is more inclined to attack.
- In the event of encounters with wolves, cougars or coyotes, never turn your back on them. Depart slowly without losing eye contact. Try to make yourself appear as large as possible. You can place an object on your head in order to do this.
- In the case of an encounter with a bear, your reaction will rely on the type of bears and type of meeting, as we explain in this article. Having bear spray ready is always the best solution.
- Don’t sprint under any situations, as it could awaken animals’ predatory instincts.
If you encounter a cougar, grizzly bear, black bear or wolf, you must inform the park authorities, since these species` populations are being monitored and controlled. If you have an unfortunate meeting with any other type of wildlife, you should also report it.
For Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay you can call 403-762-1470 and for Jasper, you can call at 780-852-6155.
WILDLIFE MAP – WHERE TO VIEWING ANIMALS IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
On this map, we have flagged the areas where it was feasible to view wildlife in the Canadian Rockies. In addition, as referenced in the article about Jasper National Park, at check-in for the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge on the Icefields Parkway, there is a map where visitors can note recent sightings. That map would be more updated than the map shown here, but this gives a general idea of where to spot wildlife in the Canadian Rockies.
WILDLIFE ON THE WEST COAST OF CANADA
Finally, I wanted to mention other animals that you can see on the West Coast of Canada. We spent in Vancouver the first two days of our 15-day Canadian Rockies trip.
Witnessing killer whales in their natural habitat has been my dream since childhood and it became reality during the Vancouver whale watching journey we undertook.
KILLER WHALES
Seeing the largest dolphin in the world while sailing the ocean is invaluable. The best time to see orcas in Vancouver is from May to October since apart from the whales who live there, many transients will be crossing these waters.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Another whale commonly seen in Vancouver waters is the humpback whale.
BALD EAGLE
As observed in the Canadian Rockies, you can see featherless eagles fishing in Vancouver`s waters.
CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS
California sea lions can also be seen resting in the harbor.
STELLER SEA LIONS
Larger sea lions called Steller sea lions can also be found. Weighing up to 1 ton and measuring around 10 feet in length, they are much bigger than the previous types mentioned above.
And with that, we end our guide to spotting wildlife in the Canadian Rockies.
