The Rocky Mountains provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Canada, if not North America. For many people, wildlife viewing can be the highlight of their trip. Whether it’s a grazing moose, a whistling groundhog, or a black bear playing with her cubs, you’re sure to come across plenty of wild creatures.
FLUFFY MARMOT
Also known as ‘Whistlers’ for the shrill, whistling sound they make. They are photo-friendly creatures that live high up in the mountains.
Locate them: High mountain trails; often at the top of the Jasper Tramway at Whistlers Mountain.
CIGARRON SHEEP
Appropriately named because their horns are huge, they are often used as a symbol of the Rocky Mountains. They can be found throughout the Canadian Rockies, in all National Parks.
Find them: on Yellowhead Highway east of the city of Jasper, the north end of Jasper Lake, and Lake Minnewanka Road.
MOUNTAIN GOAT
This stocky goat has a shaggy white coat and a rather cute ‘beard’. They are probably the closest thing to a totally Canadian animal. However, you may need to look up to see them, because they prefer more mountainous areas, especially cliffs or steep slopes.
Locate Them: Along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper.
BEARS
Grizzly bears (or brown bears, as they are sometimes known) are probably the most notorious animals in the Rocky Mountains. They are recognizable by the large hump on their shoulders, though you probably won’t want to get close enough to notice.
Black bears tend to be smaller and are much more common. To make things confusing, they are also often brown. Seeing any of them in the wild is a memorable experience. Keep your eyes open and stay back!
Spot Them: Along the Banff-Radium Highway, especially between the Dolly Varden Picnic Area and Mount Harkin Overlook, and along the Icefields Parkway at the infamous “bear jams.”
MOOSE AND MOOSE
Recognizable by their huge antlers and bulbous noses, moose are usually quite shy animals. During mating season (October-November) they can become more aggressive, and you may hear them make a very loud and distinctive bellow when trying to attract a mate.
Moose are a fairly common sight in the Rockies and often appear quite tame as they nonchalantly graze on the roadside. However, they are worth avoiding, especially during mating season (autumn) because they are known to attack.
Locate Them: Along the highway, especially Highway 93A between Banff and Jasper.