NationalGeographicTravellerAustraliaandNewZealandWinter2018

124 national geographic traveller

home to more than half of canada’s

grizzly bear population, the province

of British columbia offers some of the

best opportunities to view these animals

in their natural habitat, as they fish

rivers and shallow waters for spawning

salmon in the summer months. the

great Bear rainforest, which stretches

400 kilometres along the coast of British

columbia, is home to the planet’s largest

intact temperate rainforest, providing

a diverse ecosystem for grizzly bears

to thrive among the maze of coastal

inlets and valleys. this remote location

is accessible by float plane, and guests

stay in small, floating lodges in the

rainforest to give them the best access

for bear spotting. Morning and evening

viewing sessions, where guests watch

from small boats, are tailored around

the activities and movements of the

bears, as they bound up the river after

salmon. otherwise, time is spent in

elevated viewing platforms, called hides,

watching the grizzlies grazing on grasses

and foraging for berries.

The great Bear Rainforest is one of the few

pristine habitats that remain for grizzlies

(left). it’s thought a quarter of north America’s

grizzly bears can be found here.

greg funnell (grizzly); Courtesy

tourisme

QueBe

C (moose)

Grizzly bears

WhERE: Great bear raiNforest,

british columbia

WhEn: JuNe to october