Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1520274
28 LIVING LARGE Canada is blessed with several species of bears, including iconic polar bears. White, like the snow of their northern habitat, they are considered the largest of all terrestrial carnivores. In Churchill, Manitoba, the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," you can take a tour from mid-October to mid- November aboard a special tundra vehicle that lets you safely get close to them. Grizzlies, who reside mostly in the western and northwestern part of the country in forested and mountainous areas, can be seen from spring to fall (they hibernate in winter) on cruises along the Great Bear Rainforest or on several guide-led outings. They can also be viewed at B.C. sanctuaries like Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, Khutzeymateen Provincial Park outside Prince Rupert, and Kicking Horse Resort near Golden. Black bears, smaller than grizzlies although still formidable, are found throughout Canada and it's not unusual to spot them while driving in remote areas or canoeing. Their fur can be black, reddish- brown and occasionally even white, as evidenced in the ghostly kermode or spirit bear found along the central and northern B.C. coast. Although black bears, like grizzlies, are shy and generally avoid humans, if you encounter one, keep a safe distance away. These big bears are an extraordinary sight, yet the spine-tingling sound of a wolf in the wild is equally impressive. The largest members of the dog family, wolves hunt in packs of six to ten throughout remote areas. Private tours of the Wolf Centre in Haliburton Highlands takes visitors on an evening forest hike for "Wolf Howls" where you can imitate a howl, and hope to receive answering cries. HOOFING IT Nothing sets the pulse beating like the sight of a bull moose with enormous antlers stretching 1.8 m (6 ft.) across. Moose are present in most forested wilderness areas and, being adept swimmers, are often seen in wetlands. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland is an excellent viewing area all year. Bull moose can be aggressive, particu- larly during the autumn rut. Drive carefully in moose country, especially at night; moose encounters can cause serious damage. Large herds of bison/buffalo once thun- dered across the plains of North America providing livelihood for Indigenous Peoples, but they were hunted close to extinction during the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Since then they have made a partial recovery and herds can be seen in Wood Buffalo National Park in northeastern Alberta and southern Northwest Territories, as well as Prince Wildlife Viewing: Call of the Wild BY HANS TAMMEMAGI CARIBOU MIGRATION, LEAF RIVER LODGE, QC • JEAN-SIMON BÉGIN Canada's vast, varied terrain provides a habitat for countless creatures, and the same can be said of its waterways. After all, the land is dotted with lakes, laced by rivers and lapped by three oceans. Even the skies here are crowded because this country is home to four major north-south migratory flyways and boasts nearly 600 Important Bird Areas. As a result, it supports more kinds of wildlife than you can shake a camera at. Here are some of the most memorable, with tips on where to find them.