CANADA FOR WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Few things can match the excitement of seeing Canada’s awesome animals in the wild. Its rich menagerie ranges from playful sea otters to vast herds of antlered caribou, and includes endangered species such as the mighty killer whale and ferocious wolverine.

Bears Everywhere

Canada is one of the few countries in the world where you can view polar bears in the wild, with Churchill  a magnet for bears and tourists alike. In national parks and remote areas, you may see grizzlies, black and brown bears. The Great Bear Rainforest on the Pacific Coast is the place to go to catch a glimpse of the unique spirit bears – black bears with a recessive gene that makes them white.

Mighty Moose

With an estimated one million moose across Canada, you’re likely to run into at least one of these solitary creatures, with their massive muzzles and broad antlers. In some rural towns you might even find them wandering the streets. There’s a large population in the Algonquin Provincial Park , where you can go on moose safaris in a kayak. Moose are strong swimmers, so you might even find them paddling alongside you at some point

Bald Eagles

Found all over the country, the white-headed, whitetailed bald eagle is Canada’s largest bird of prey. For a particularly good chance of spotting them, head for the archipelago of Haida Gwaii , which is home to a large population. Sightings are also common on Cape Breton Island  on the Atlantic coast.

Panning for Gold

History comes to life when kids try their luck at panning for gold like the prospectors who once flocked to the Yukon to find their fortunes. Set your course for Dawson City , which was the bustling center of the Klondike Gold Rush; the town of Whitehorse ); or the Wild Horse River Historic Site. Each of these locations offers numerous goldpanning attractions. Dawson City even hosts annual goldpanning championships across a wide range of skill levels