The main draw of our fishing excursions and wilderness tours might be the fish and other wildlife waiting in the waters below. But there’s also plenty to see along the shorelines.
Our remote location on Malcolm Island in British Columbia means that you’ll have a chance to encounter a variety of wildlife in their natural habitats. Headed out for a day of fishing or enjoying some whale watching? Keep your eye on the shore and you might just be lucky enough to spot one of these incredible creatures.
Beavers
It might not be the largest or most exotic creature you’ll spot on the shores of British Columbia. But the beaver is an integral part of the ecosystem.
This furry brown animal might look more like a very small bear than a rat. However, it’s actually a species of rodent. It’s also Canada’s national animal. This is thanks to a long national history of fur trade and exploration. Beavers are somewhat rare to see. It’s easier to spot their dens, which look like log-jam piles of sticks, branches, and other debris. You might also see felled trees with a sharpened pencil-like spike that shows a beaver felled it for his or her den.
Black Bears
Canada is the only country in North America where all three of the continent’s native species of bears can be found. You won’t spot polar bears in British Columbia (those you’ll need to go a bit further north to see). But both black bears and brown bears call the region home.
Black bears are the most common species found in the region. More than 150,000 live in British Columbia today. This makes up around a quarter of the species’ entire North American population.
Kermode Bears
Despite what the name suggests, black bears aren’t always black. They can also be found with brown, white, or even blue-tinted fur. Black is the most common in the coastal British Columbia area, though one unique subspecies is also found here; Kermode Bears
Kermode bears are a type of black bear, but with white fur. These animals are not albinos. Instead, their white fur is thought to be a natural adaptation that started as a way for the bears to be less visible to spawning salmon while they are fishing.
Also known as Spirit Bears, Kermode bears are a rare and special sight, as only around 400 exist in the wild today.
Grizzly Bears
The other type of bear you might spot during your wilderness tour or fishing excursion is the Grizzly bear, also known as a brown bear. Today, around 14,000 grizzlies live in BC. While that may seem like a lot, that’s less than half of what lived in the region just 200 years ago.
Much larger than black bears or Kermode bears, you might spot these bears at the water’s edge during your trip.
North West White-Tailed Deer
While grizzlies and kermodes may be a rare sight, there is plenty of wildlife that’s common to see during your visit.
For instance, the North West White-Tailed Deer is the most common of all large land mammals in British Columbia. These gentle creatures are usually spotted grazing in grassy or wooded areas.
Bald Eagles
With a wingspan of between 6 and 8 feet when they’re fully grown, the bald eagle is a distinctive sight in the skies above British Columbia. The species is found throughout most of North America. However, they thrive in areas with less development, like the backwoods coastal areas of British Columbia.
Around 20,000 bald eagles live within British Columbia today. Combined with the 70,000 that live in Alaska, these two locations account for over half of the world’s population of this incredible species.
While you might get lucky and spot a bald eagle soaring above the water on your tour, you can also look for their large nests high up in the trees near the shoreline.
Booking Your 2022 Adventure
Now is a great time to start planning your visit in 2022. Book your wilderness tour or fishing excursion today to guarantee your spot for the adventure of a lifetime!
